Description: Lecture, three hours. Radiative transfer and energy-balance models (EBMs). Multiple equilibrium climates and their stability. Coupled EBMs of atmosphere and oceans. Climatic history of our planet. Continuum mechanics of ice sheets and mantle. Oscillatory models of Quaternary glaciation cycles. Transitions from equilibrium to periodic and aperiodic climate behavior. Climatic predictability. S/U (for majors with consent of instructor after successful completion of written and oral comprehensive examination and for nonmajors at discretion of major department) or letter grading.

Units: 4.0