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Toby Sherwin
Professor, Physics, Sea-Ice and Technology Department
Professor Toby J Sherwin
Phone: +0/44 1631 559336
Professor of Oceanography
At Rockall
(See personal pages for other information and a reference list)
Scientific interests
Monitoring the circulation of the north-east Atlantic. This work forms part of NERC's national capability within the Oceans 2025 initiative. It is shared with colleagues at NOCS, and involves SAMS leading a major research cruise between Iceland and Scotland every two years (most recently in June 2009), the Extended Ellett line. A major justification for the cruise is for the training of young scientists. If you are a student on a recognised marine science course, then please contact me about sea-going possibilities.
SAMS has acquiring an ocean going glider from Seaglider Fabrication, which is undergoing trials before it starts monitoring the upper 1000 m of the north-east Atlantic in autumn 2009. This new technology will eventually revolutionise the way we monitor ocean circulation.
Investigations in the Faroe-Shetland Channel. A series of investigations (in collaboration with FRS, Aberdeen) have demonstrated the intensity of mesoscale variability in the Faroe-Shetland Channel as the northward flowing shelf edge current of North Atlantic Water meets Modified North Atlantic Water entering from the north and re-circulating in the channel. In addition we have demonstrated the strength and seasonal variability of surface transport in the channel.
The dynamics of the Wyville Thomson Ridge overflow. In recent years SAMS has been monitoring the transport of cold deep southward flowing Faroe-Shetland Channel water across the Wyville Thomson Ridge and into the Rockall Trough. Our investigations have demonstrated that (in recent years at least) the flow is more steady than originally thought, and that it is about 1/3rd the size of the Mediterranean outflow. Current speeds of up to 2 m/s have been observed in the overflow, and consequently mixing and lateral overturning are very intense.
Current projects
Teaching / supervising activities
Module leader H3 'Ocean Circulation and Climate'
Lecturer on H4 'Polar Seas'
Director of studies to Clare Johnson
Director of studies to Marie Porter
Supervisor of Emily Venables
Knowledge transfer
I give public talks on the scientific aspects of Climate Change to local communities on the western and northern parts of Scotland, most recently at the Argyll and Bute Environment Week (Oban, Sept 2008) and Islay Energy Trust (Bowmore, Nov 2008).