Fluid waves with topological origins

Abstract

Topology Topological effects that arise from material boundaries are well known in solid-state physics and form the basis for topological insulators. Delplace et al. describe atmospheric and ocean waves that appear to have a similar topological origin (see the Perspective by Biello and Dimofte). The waves exist because of the symmetry-breaking nature of Earth's rotation, which allows certain fixed topological constraints on the system. These findings may be useful for understanding a wide variety of geophysical and astrophysical flows. Science , this issue p. [1075][1]; see also p. [990][2] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aan8819 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaq0469