• francisco.machin@ulpgc.es

On this day in history,...

...in 1888, Harald Ulrik Sverdrup was born in Sogndal, Norway. A pioneering oceanographer and meteorologist, Sverdrup made significant contributions to our understanding of ocean circulation, wind-driven currents, and atmospheric processes. His work laid the foundation for modern physical oceanography.

Harald Ulrik Sverdrup

Her key contributions might be summarised as follows:

  •    Sverdrup Transport Theory: Sverdrup formulated the Sverdrup balance, a theoretical framework that describes how wind stress on the ocean surface influences the large-scale meridional (north-south) transport of water. His work remains fundamental to the study of wind-driven ocean circulation.
  •  Co-Author of The Oceans (1942): Along with Martin W. Johnson and Richard H. Fleming, Sverdrup co-authored The Oceans: Their Physics, Chemistry, and General Biology, one of the most influential textbooks in oceanography. This comprehensive work synthesized the knowledge of the time and became a cornerstone for generations of oceanographers.
  •  Modeling of Subtropical Gyres: Sverdrup’s work on large-scale circulation provided insights into the dynamics of subtropical gyres, helping to explain the distribution of heat, nutrients, and momentum across the world's oceans.

In recognition of his contributions, the sverdrup (Sv) was established as a unit of volumetric flow in oceanography. One sverdrup equals 1 million cubic meters per second (1 Sv = 10⁶ m³/s) and is widely used to quantify large-scale ocean currents.

Harald Sverdrup’s theories and methodologies continue to shape oceanography today. His pioneering research not only advanced the understanding of ocean circulation but also influenced meteorology and climate science.

Sources

Reference date
15 Nov

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