The D-day landings 80 years ago are often regarded as the birth of modern physical oceanography here in the UK. At this point a small group of physicists were brought together (Group W) to work out how waves are generated and travel away from storms. This knowledge would enable the prediction of wave conditions to aid amphibious landings. A key member of that group was Jack Darbyshire, a UCNW Physics graduate from Blaenau Ffestiniog. Jack later returned to the University to setup the new Department of Physical Oceanography which was formed in 1964.
In this presentation we will investigate the impact of Bangor University Physical Oceanographic research in improving our understanding of the way the ocean works.
Tom is the established Chair in Physical Oceanography. He is an observational oceanographer with a strong research interest in turbulence and mixing in the marine environment. His work has involved the development of new technqiues for the measurement of aquatic turbulence, and the use of turbulence measurements to identify, unravel and quantify key physical processes which drive mixing in the ocean. His current research focuses on the impact of mixing by the tide and wind on melting Arctic sea ice and the processes determining the surface mixed layer depth in the ocean.
Tom is a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
