Multiscale study of currents affected by topography
Abstract
Understanding the roles of topography on the ocean general circulation is challenging because of the multiscale nature of the flow interactions. Small-scale details of the topography, and the waves, drag, and turbulence generated at the boundaries, from meter scale to mesoscale, interact in the boundary layers to influence the larger-scale flow. We propose to use modern modeling and state estimation methods at multiple scales for collaborative study of the interaction of significant currents with steep topography in the western Tropical Pacific. We will run a nested set of models for the region, starting with the entire Tropical Pacific at 1/3o resolution in order to resolve the large-scale circulation, primarily wind-driven flows. We will take boundary conditions from this outer model (as well as the HYCOM/NCODA global analysis) to run a nested model with 1/6o resolution, and then continue to increase resolution down to scales approaching 4.5 km (1/24o resolution) to supply boundary conditions to even finer-scale models, such as Delft3d, applied to local regions. We will use state estimation tools to fit the models to observations before and during the fieldwork to produce reanalyses for dynamical diagnostics and to compute sensitivities of key circulation features to both local and remote ocean-atmospheric forcings. Our scientific goals are to understand ocean circulation near islands and abrupt topography, including the effects of the topography on the large-scale flow. Success will be defined by skillful predictive models, including generalization of the "island rule", and to contribute to studies of the small-scale circulation around islands.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512285
Entities
People
- Bruce D. Cornuelle
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, San Diego