Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
Attention is focused on those aspects of the theory that may be relevant in understanding the nature of ZZ Ceti-type variable white dwarfs. Recent calculations show that the opacity mechanism can drive a large variety of oscillation modes, including the ones that fit observed periods. An estimate of nonlinear effects shows that resonant mode coupling plays a dominant role in determining the finite amplitude behaviour of oscillations and is also probably responsible for rapid amplitude changes observed in these variables.