Mediterranean and Global Ocean and Climate Dynamics

The Mediterranean is a mid‐latitude semienclosed sea, or almost an isolated oceanic system. Rapid progress has been made in recent years in describing the physical structure of its currents and circulation and in identifying associated space‐time variabilities. Definitive dynamical studies are now possible in order to understand processes and mechanisms of the Mediterranean general circulation and its influences, regionally and globally. Many processes that are fundamental to the general circulation of the world ocean also occur within the Mediterranean, either identically or analogously. But the relatively small size of the Mediterranean facilitates research logistics and minimizes resources required for experimental modeling and field research.