ABSTRACT
A brief overview of the development of the theory of two-dimensional turbulence is presented. The focus is on the transition from a theory based on inertial range cascades and interacting Fourier modes to the study of interacting coherent vortices. Connection to the oceanographic and atmospheric thrust of this session is made via a discussion of some of the important effects of variations of the Coriolis parameter with latitude (in the -plane model) and topography.
