Chapter 2
SOME OCEAN MODEL FUNDAMENTALS
Stephen M. Griffies
NOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Abstract
The purpose of these lectures is to present elements of the equations and
algorithms used in numerical models of the large-scale ocean circulation.
Such models generally integrate the ocean's primitive equations, which
are based on Newton's Laws applied to a continuum fluid under hydrostatic balance in a spherical geometry, along with linear irreversible
thermodynamics and subgrid scale (SGS) parameterizations. During
formulations of both the kinematics and dynamics, we highlight issues
related to the use of a generalized vertical coordinate. The vertical coordinate is arguably the most critical element determining how a model
is designed and applications to which a model is of use.
Keywords: Ocean modelling, parameterization, vertical coordinate.
1.
Concepts, themes, and quest ions
Numerical ocean models are computational tools used to understand
and predict aspects of the ocean. They are a repository for our best
ocean theories, and they provide an essential means to probe a mathematical representation of this very rich and complex geophysical system.
That is, models provide an experimental apparatus for the scientific
rationalization of ocean phenomena. Indeed, during the past decade,
large-scale models have become the experimental tool of choice for many
oceanographers and climate scientists. The reason for this state of affairs
is largely due to improved understanding of both the ocean and ocean
models, as well as increased computer power allowing for increasingly
realistic representations of ocean fluid dynamics. Without computer
models, our ability to develop a robust and testable intellectual basis for
ocean and climate dynamics would be severely handicapped.
19
E. P. Chassignet and J. Verron (eds.), Ocean WeatherForecasting, 19-73.
O 2006 Springer. Printed in the Netherlands.
SOME OCEAN MODEL FUNDAMENTALS
Stephen M. Griffies
NOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Abstract
The purpose of these lectures is to present elements of the equations and
algorithms used in numerical models of the large-scale ocean circulation.
Such models generally integrate the ocean's primitive equations, which
are based on Newton's Laws applied to a continuum fluid under hydrostatic balance in a spherical geometry, along with linear irreversible
thermodynamics and subgrid scale (SGS) parameterizations. During
formulations of both the kinematics and dynamics, we highlight issues
related to the use of a generalized vertical coordinate. The vertical coordinate is arguably the most critical element determining how a model
is designed and applications to which a model is of use.
Keywords: Ocean modelling, parameterization, vertical coordinate.
1.
Concepts, themes, and quest ions
Numerical ocean models are computational tools used to understand
and predict aspects of the ocean. They are a repository for our best
ocean theories, and they provide an essential means to probe a mathematical representation of this very rich and complex geophysical system.
That is, models provide an experimental apparatus for the scientific
rationalization of ocean phenomena. Indeed, during the past decade,
large-scale models have become the experimental tool of choice for many
oceanographers and climate scientists. The reason for this state of affairs
is largely due to improved understanding of both the ocean and ocean
models, as well as increased computer power allowing for increasingly
realistic representations of ocean fluid dynamics. Without computer
models, our ability to develop a robust and testable intellectual basis for
ocean and climate dynamics would be severely handicapped.
19
E. P. Chassignet and J. Verron (eds.), Ocean WeatherForecasting, 19-73.
O 2006 Springer. Printed in the Netherlands.