Verification and Calibration of an Eddy-Resolving Model of the Gulf of Mexico
Abstract
Techniques for verifying and calibrating an eddy-resolving ocean circulation model have been applied to a model of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Various kinematic parameters were calculated using drifter data from GOM Loop Current eddies, and from indices of rotational period versus eddy age and swirl velocity versus distance the eddy center were determined. The observed kinematics were then compared to the same parameters calculated from a model eddy. Although the model can simulate the movement and translation velocities of actual Gulf of Mexico eddies, it does not reproduce the interior flow characteristics of such eddies. In particular, the period of rotation about the center of a model eddy is considerably different from what is observed. The first attempt at calibrating the model was the development of more realistic inflow conditions in the Yucatan Straits. A variety of data sets were synthesized to produce the two-dimensional distributions of temperature, salinity, density, and northward velocity as well as the east-west variations of surface height. The data of Cooper et al. (1990) was used to specify the vertical velocity profile while the results of Hall (1989) were used to specify the horizontal structure of the flow field.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA252398
Entities
People
- Artemio Gallegos
- James K. Lewis
- Lakshmi Kantha
- Ranjit Passi
Organizations
- Leidos