Since ancient times people tried to observe the sea. Information about the sea served navigators to exploit ocean winds and currents, merchants to reach distant harbours, fishermen to ascertain their catches, and navies to master ocean space.
The practical study of the sea has in the last two decades leaped forward with the advancement in science and technology, improved sensors to observe marine waters by direct measurements as well as remotely from space. The ultimate objective is to learn enough about the structure and motions of the ocean to be able to predict its future state.
Especially in harbours and coastal areas, it is crucial to understand the turbulent water mixing to understand the sea currents and circulation within the bays. Modern sea monitoring techniques therefore involve collecting consecutive data over longer periods of time and operational numerical modelling to reconstruct the eddies and to quantify the water renewal within the basins. This is essential in order to predict sea currents, sea temperatures, control oil spill trajectories, movement of jellyfish blooms / marine litter, and water quality degradation.
Dr Anthony Galea will guide you through the process of sea monitoring and modelling, and the importance of understanding fluid mechanics with various experiments in a highly interactive talk.
Title: Fluid Science
Speaker: Dr Anthony Galea
Date: Wednesday 11 October
Date: Wednesday 11 October
Time: 19:00 (Doors open at 18:45)
Place: Music Room Spazju Kreattiv at St James Cavalier in Valletta.
Poster thanks to Samuel Ciantar.
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Malta Café Scientifique thanks the STEAM project funded by the Erasmus+ Key Action 2 Strategic Partnership, Spazju Kreattiv for hosting this event, the University of Malta, and Malta Chamber of Scientists (of which the café forms part).