Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory facts for kids
The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) is a special science lab. It is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA is a US government agency that studies the ocean and atmosphere. GFDL's main job is to learn more about how Earth's atmosphere and oceans work. They study these systems as complex fluids.
Scientists at GFDL use math and powerful computers to create models. These models help them understand and predict how our planet's climate and weather might change. They look at both natural changes and those caused by humans.
GFDL has made many important discoveries. They developed the first computer models to study global warming. They also created the first detailed ocean prediction programs. Their models were also the first to accurately predict hurricane paths and strength.
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What GFDL Has Achieved
GFDL scientists have made big steps in understanding Earth's climate and weather. Here are some of their key achievements:
- They created the first global computer models of the atmosphere. These models helped define how we predict weather and climate today.
- They made the first computer simulation of the world's oceans.
- They helped explain important ideas in global warming research. This includes how water vapor affects temperature and why polar regions warm faster.
- They developed the first models that link the atmosphere and ocean together. They used these models to simulate global warming for the first time.
- They created an advanced hurricane model. This model is now used by the NOAA National Weather Service and the Navy to help predict hurricanes.
GFDL's Science Teams
GFDL has about 300 researchers and staff from many countries. These experts work in different science teams. There is also a large team of computer programmers. They help build the complex models. Another group provides computer support.
Atmospheric Physics Team
This team uses computer models and observations to study the air around us. They focus on things like greenhouse gases, tiny particles (aerosols), water vapor, and clouds. They want to understand how these parts affect weather and climate.
Biogeochemistry, Chemistry, and Ecosystems Team
This team uses GFDL's Earth system models. Their goal is to understand how physical, chemical, and living systems interact. They study how these parts affect each other and the whole Earth system.
Ocean and Cryosphere Team
This team does important research on oceans and ice (cryosphere). They study how oceans and ice change. They also look at how these changes affect weather, climate, sea level, and living things. They build advanced computer models for oceans, sea ice, and land ice.
Seasonal-to-Decadal Prediction Team
This team works to improve our understanding of climate changes. They look at changes that happen over seasons or many years. This includes natural climate changes. It also includes how the climate responds to changes in the sun's energy. They are building new systems to predict climate over these longer periods.
Weather and Climate Dynamics Team
This team develops new parts for Earth system models. They focus on creating very detailed atmospheric models. These models can help predict big weather events. This includes hurricanes, floods, severe storms, and droughts. They aim to improve predictions from daily weather to changes over a year or two.
GFDL's Facilities
GFDL is located at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.
GFDL uses very powerful computers called supercomputers. These supercomputers are located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. They have over 140,000 processor cores. These are like the brains of the computer. GFDL has been using high-performance computers for its models since the 1950s. They update their computer systems about every 18 months.
Important People from GFDL
Many important scientists have worked at GFDL. Here are a few:
- Joseph Smagorinsky: GFDL's first director
- Jerry D. Mahlman: GFDL's second director
- Ants Leetmaa: GFDL's third director
- Isaac Held
- Kirk Bryan (oceanographer)
- Syukuro Manabe
- Yoshio Kurihara
See also
- Modular Ocean Model
- GFDL CM2.X
