| Citation | Professor Thorpe is distinguished for his contributions to geophysical fluid dynamics and physical oceanography, particularly studies of internal waves and the stability of stratified shear flows. His innovative laboratory experiments and related theoretical work have deepened our understanding of these phenomena and provided a basis for much subsequent work worldwide.
In more recent research his interests have broadened to include observational studies in lakes and at sea, and investigations of bubble formation and the dynamics of surface and bottom boundary layers. To an unusual degree he possesses the ability to recognise novel phenomena and then investigate their nature through crucial experiments and associated theoretical studies. |