Geophysics professor explains how mathematical models help understand hurricanes

Birzeit University’s Department of Physics held a lecture titled “Using Rare Event Sampling to Understand the Strongest Tropical Cyclones,” featuring associate professor at the Department of Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago Dorian Abbot. 

Abbot talked about the basic physics of hurricanes and explained the Carnot cycle as a good approximation for how these storms generate power. He discussed how hurricanes might change because of climate change.

Abbot pointed out some of the techniques he has developed to analyze and evaluate these strong, rare storms by using numerical simulations. According to Abbot, these techniques could dramatically improve our ability to forecast changes in tropical cyclones that are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change.

Abbot is an associate professor at the Department of Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago. He has an undergraduate degree in physics (2004, Harvard) and a PhD in applied math (2008, Harvard).  Using mathematical and computational models to understand and explain fundamental problems in Earth and planetary sciences, he has also worked on problems related to climate, paleoclimate, the cryosphere, planetary habitability, and exoplanets. Recently, he has focused on researching the terrestrial exoplanets and their habitability.