A Numerical Study of an Idealized Ocean Using Non Linear Lateral Eddy Viscosity Coefficients.
Abstract
Using a one level, barotropic ocean model, driven by surface winds, a finite difference form of the vorticity equation was integrated over 210 days of simulated time. The solutions using a constant coefficients of lateral eddy viscosity were compared with those using a variable coefficients derived from enstrophy cascade and energy cascade. Using a constant eddy viscosity coefficient of rather low magnitude produces a large amplitude computational oscillation which fills the entire basin. An order of magnitude larger coefficient produces a marginally satisfactory solution, where the western boundary current was rather well represented, but a moderate computational oscillation was still evident. By increasing the coefficient yet another order of magnitude, the computational oscillation is negligible, but the solution in the ocean interior is unrealistically damped. An accurate physical and numerical depiction of both the ocean interior and western boundary with no computational oscillation was achieved by using either of the two forms of non linear eddy viscosity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA009973
Entities
People
- Julian Maynard Wright Jr
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School