Minnesota Mathematics of Climate Seminar
Welander's Ocean Circulation Model
Richard McGehee
School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota
11:15 am CDT, Tuesday, October 14, 2025
570 Vincent Hall (also streamed via Zoom)
The Hollywood movie The Day After Tomorrow portrayed the Earth falling into a new ice age as a result of a weakening gulf stream caused by global warming. Although counterintuitive, such a phenomenon occurred during the last glacial retreat. A simple model of ocean circulation introduced in 1982 by Pierre Welander illustrates this phenomenon. The model lends itself to analysis using mathematical techniques only recently developed.
The meetings are held in 570 Vincent Hall at 11:15 am Central Time on Tuesdays, followed by an extended discussion over lunch. If you would like to participate remotely, please contact Richard McGehee <mcgehee@umn.edu>.
Richard McGehee,
School of Mathematics,
<mcgehee@umn.edu>
Clarence Lehman,
College of Biological Sciences,
<lehman@umn.edu>
This seminar examines some of the simpler mathematical models of climate in the recent literature. Participants are encouraged to read a paper and report on it to the other participants, but passive participation is also welcomed. Course credit can be arranged either through the School of Mathematics or the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior by arrangement with the organizers.