This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Peter Saundry
Edward N. Lorenz.
Edward N. Lorenz (1917-2008), an American meteorologist noted for his pathbreaking descriptions of the transfer of energy in the general circulation of the atmosphere. His book, The Nature and Theory of the General Circulation of the Atmosphere (1967) featured one of the first complete descriptions of atmospheric general circulation, including the equations governing atmospheric energetics. Computer programs and models developed later would use Lorenz's mathematical formulas to improve weather predictions. He formally introduced the notion of uncertainty and chaos into weather forecasting. In that regard, Lorenz is famous for his statement of the butterfly effect. Lorenz's theory was that an event as small as a butterfly flapping its wings in China could change the weather in the United States a few days later. This effect was possible because the butterfly moved a little bit of air, that moved more air, and so on, until the moving air reached the other side of the world. The butterfly effect, or the "sensitive dependence on initial conditions", is the essence of chaos.
Cutler Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Lorenz, Edward". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 7, 2010; Last revised Date March 7, 2010; Retrieved May 26, 2012 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Lorenz,_Edward>
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Editor-in-Chief
The Encyclopedia of Earth Cutler J. Cleveland is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. Dr. Cleveland is currently a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Boston University, with joint appointments in the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies and the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer Range Future. He also is a Senior Fellow at the National Council for Science and the Environment in Washington D.C. Dr. Cleveland is als ... (Full Bio)
Edward N. Lorenz.
Edward N. Lorenz (1917-2008), an American meteorologist noted for his pathbreaking descriptions of the transfer of energy in the general circulation of the atmosphere. His book, The Nature and Theory of the General Circulation of the Atmosphere (1967) featured one of the first complete descriptions of atmospheric general circulation, including the equations governing atmospheric energetics. Computer programs and models developed later would use Lorenz's mathematical formulas to improve weather predictions. He formally introduced the notion of uncertainty and chaos into weather forecasting. In that regard, Lorenz is famous for his statement of the butterfly effect. Lorenz's theory was that an event as small as a butterfly flapping its wings in China could change the weather in the United States a few days later. This effect was possible because the butterfly moved a little bit of air, that moved more air, and so on, until the moving air reached the other side of the world. The butterfly effect, or the "sensitive dependence on initial conditions", is the essence of chaos.
Edward N. Lorenz.
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