An Inverse Model for Calculation of Global Volume Transport from Wind and Hydrographic Data

Abstract

The P-vector inverse method has been successfully used to invert the absolute velocity from hydrographic data for the extra-equatorial hemispheres, but not for the equatorial region since it is based on the geostrophic balance. A smooth interpolation scheme across the equator is developed in this study to bring together the two already known solutions (P-vectors) for the extra-equatorial hemispheres. This model contains four major components: (a) the P-vector inverse model to obtain the solutions for the two extra-equatorial hemispheres, (b) the objective method to determine the psi-values at individual islands, (c) the Poisson equation-solver to obtain the Pi-values over the equatorial region from the volume transport vorticity equation, and (d) the Poisson equation-solver to obtain the psi and depth-integrated velocity field (U, V) over the globe from the Poisson psi-equation. The Poisson equation-solver is similar to the box model developed by Wunsch. Thus, this method combines the strength from both box and P-vector models. The calculated depth-integrated velocity and psi-field agree well with earlier studies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA575164

Entities

People

  • Chenwu Fan
  • Peter Cheng Chu

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Equatorial Regions
  • Geography
  • Grids
  • Gulf Stream
  • Ocean Currents
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Poisson Equation
  • Regions
  • Ridges
  • Ross Sea
  • Sea Water
  • Stratified Fluids
  • Topography
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Oceanography.