Dynamics of Semi-enclosed and Coastal Seas: Numerical Models and Altimetry
Abstract
Long Term Goals. Our long term research goal is to obtain a better understanding of the circulation and other processes in semi-enclosed, marginal and coastal seas of naval interest. Another goal is to assist the establishment of a nowcast/forecast capability. The primary tools of investigation for this purpose are remote sensing, principally altimetry, and comprehensive, data-assimilative numerical models assimilating altimetric and other remotely-sensed data. Objectives. The near term objective is to examine the utility of altimetric data, both in shallow waters of the coastal seas, and in marginal seas. The regions of current focus are the Yellow/East China Sea and the Sea of Japan. Our immediate objective is to examine the utility of altimetric data assimilation in numerical models of these seas for nowcast/ forecast applications and process studies. Approach. The approach is to extract sub-tidal signals from altimetric data from current (NASA/CNES TOPEX/Poseidon, ESA ERS-2) missions, using standard analysis techniques but subtracting tidal signals accurately using our regional/global tidal models, and to assimilate them in comprehensive 3-D circulation models of marginal seas. The uniqueness is in combining data from multiple altimeters with numerical models to better simulate the physical state. This helps us better understand physical processes and produce more accurate nowcasts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA634189
Entities
People
- Lakshmi H. Kantha
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder