Data Assimilation in Ocean Prediction

Abstract

Remotely sensed satellite observations provide ocean altimetry data at high temporal and spatial resolutions to an unprecedented accuracy of approximately 5 cms. Availability of data of such high quality and wide coverage makes it possible to address a variety of scientific questions related to physical oceanography including, for example, the accurate estimation of ocean circulation at several levels of interest. Achieving such an objective, however, presents daunting challenges in terms of the enormous size of the problems to be solved. By developing computationally efficient techniques for the direct assimilation of satellite altimetry data, this project aims at improving the reconstruction of ocean fields in global and mesoscale ocean circulation applications, and, therefore, improve the capability of nowcast and forecast Navy models. The objective of this project is to interface fast implementations of the Kalman-Bucy filters (KBf) that we have developed [1, 2, 3, 4], with the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Layered Ocean Model (NOARL), [5], and then carry out extensive data assimilation studies in ocean circulation. We are working in close collaboration with Dr. Harley Hurlburt and Ms. Tommy Townsend at the NRL Stennis Space Center. The research will provide a better understanding of ocean circulation by assimilating satellite altimetry data to global ocean circulation at different levels of resolution.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA572555

Entities

People

  • Jose M. Moura

Organizations

  • Carnegie Mellon University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Altimetry
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Assimilation
  • Computational Complexity
  • Computational Science
  • Differential Equations
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Errors
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Geometry
  • Information Operations
  • Military Research
  • Ocean Currents
  • Oceans
  • Partial Differential Equations

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space