3D Spectral Element Ocean Model Simulations

Idealized 3D Spectral Element Ocean Model Simulations

Harold P. Batchelder (Oregon State University)
Christopher A. Edwards (University of Connecticut)
Dale Haidvogel (Rutgers University)

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation and
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the
U.S. GLOBEC Northeast Pacific Program.
More information about the U.S. GLOBEC Program.

Idealized Coastline with One Cape

Case Name Characteristics

chn04_01_r05a_xyc Idealized Geometry w/ single cape
Domain: 600 km in X; 900 km in Y; 900 m in Z
30 day simulation
Wind Stress: Sinusoidal
Output: U,V,W Velocities & Density

The table below provides links to selected jpg plots of the SEOM model results. A better way to visualize the results is using animated movies of the simulation. Larger images and FLC animations are available for selected viewing orientations (2D slices) by clicking the images displayed below. Information about the FLC animation format and software for playing FLC animations is available at http://crusty.er.usgs.gov/flc.html.

X-Y Plane view at Z=-10 meters X-Y Plane view at Z=-20 meters

X-Y Plane view at Z=-60 meters X-Z Plane views at Y=380 and 650 km

The table below provides links to selected jpg plots of Individual Based Model (IBM) simulations of particles tracked in the flow fields of the SEOM model results shown above. Results are shown for two simulations, one with passive particles, and one with particles (25 ug C copepods) that undergo diel vertical migrations (DVM). Animated movies of the simulation can be downloaded by clicking the images and clicking appropriate links. Each animation consists of a sequence of snapshots for 50 particles released at 15, 30 or 45 m depth, and tracked through 30 days. Significantly, all passive particles released from these depths are advected from the domain prior to 30 days. Particles that undergo DVM) tend to move onshore, and their alongshore transport (advection) is strongly controlled by their initial distance from the coast. Larger images and FLC animations are available for selected viewing orientations (2D slices) by clicking the images displayed below. Information about the FLC animation format and software for playing FLC animations is available at http://crusty.er.usgs.gov/flc.html.

IBM Simulation - Passive Particles
released at -15, -30, and -45 m IBM Simulation - Active (DVM) Particles
released at -15, -30, and -45 m

IBM simulations with particles in run 'deepseeded', in which nearly the entire region north of the cape and between 40-100 m depth was seeded with particles (27900 particles total). Shown below are 22 day simulations for particles represented in the initial positions shown.

IBM Simulation - Particles
released in X-Y plane at Z=-40m IBM Simulation - Particles
released in X-Z plane at Y=650 km

Idealized Coastline with One Shelf Bank

Case Name Characteristics

chn05_01_r02a_xyc Idealized Geometry w/ One Shelfbank
Domain: 600 km in X; 900 km in Y; 900 m in Z
30 day simulation
Wind Stress: Sinusoidal
Output: U,V,W Velocities & Density

X-Y Plane view at Z=-10 meters X-Y Plane view at Z=-20 meters

X-Y Plane view at Z=-60 meters X-Z Plane views at Y=380 and 650 km

X-Z Plane view of density at Y=380,450,650 km. X-Z Plane view of alongshore velocity at Y=380,450,650 km.

The table below provides links to selected jpg plots of Individual Based Model (IBM) simulations of particles tracked in the flow fields of the SEOM model results shown above. Results are shown for two simulations, one with passive particles, and one with particles (25 ug C copepods) that undergo diel vertical migrations (DVM). Animated movies of the simulation can be downloaded by clicking the images and clicking appropriate links. Each animation consists of a sequence of snapshots for 50 particles released at 15, 30 or 45 m depth, and tracked through 30 days. Significantly, all passive particles released from these depths are advected from the domain prior to 30 days. Particles that undergo DVM) tend to move onshore, and their alongshore transport (advection) is strongly controlled by their initial distance from the coast. Larger images and FLC animations are available for selected viewing orientations (2D slices) by clicking the images displayed below. Information about the FLC animation format and software for playing FLC animations is available at http://crusty.er.usgs.gov/flc.html.

Shelf Bank Case -- Non-Migrating (Passive) Particles
IBM simulations with particles in run 'bank_deepseed', in which nearly the entire region north of the bank and spanning 40-100 m depth was seeded with particles (27900 particles total). Simulations ran for 28 days.

IBM Simulation - Particles
from all release locations IBM Simulation - Particles
released in X-Z plane at Y=650 km

IBM Simulation - Only Particles that pass through 580<X<600; 200<Y<400 during days 20-30 of simulation. (e.g., pass through the region where upwelling is greatest.

Shelf Bank Case -- Migrating Particles
IBM simulations with particles in run 'bank_deepseed', in which nearly the entire region north of the bank and spanning 40-100 m depth was seeded with particles (27900 particles total). Simulations ran for 28 days.

IBM Simulation - Particles
released in X-Y plane at Z=-40m IBM Simulation - Only Particles that pass through 580<X<600; 200<Y<400 during days 20-30 of simulation. (\e.g., pass through the region where upwelling is greatest.

Harold P. Batchelder
Last Updated: 5 March 2001

X-Y Plane view at Z=-10 meters	X-Y Plane view at Z=-20 meters

X-Y Plane view at Z=-60 meters	X-Z Plane views at Y=380 and 650 km

IBM Simulation - Passive Particles released at -15, -30, and -45 m	IBM Simulation - Active (DVM) Particles released at -15, -30, and -45 m

IBM simulations with particles in run 'deepseeded', in which nearly the entire region north of the cape and between 40-100 m depth was seeded with particles (27900 particles total). Shown below are 22 day simulations for particles represented in the initial positions shown.
IBM Simulation - Particles released in X-Y plane at Z=-40m	IBM Simulation - Particles released in X-Z plane at Y=650 km

X-Z Plane view of density at Y=380,450,650 km.	X-Z Plane view of alongshore velocity at Y=380,450,650 km.

Shelf Bank Case -- Non-Migrating (Passive) Particles IBM simulations with particles in run 'bank_deepseed', in which nearly the entire region north of the bank and spanning 40-100 m depth was seeded with particles (27900 particles total). Simulations ran for 28 days.
IBM Simulation - Particles from all release locations	IBM Simulation - Particles released in X-Z plane at Y=650 km

IBM Simulation - Only Particles that pass through 580<X<600; 200<Y<400 during days 20-30 of simulation. (e.g., pass through the region where upwelling is greatest.

Shelf Bank Case -- Migrating Particles IBM simulations with particles in run 'bank_deepseed', in which nearly the entire region north of the bank and spanning 40-100 m depth was seeded with particles (27900 particles total). Simulations ran for 28 days.
IBM Simulation - Particles released in X-Y plane at Z=-40m	IBM Simulation - Only Particles that pass through 580<X<600; 200<Y<400 during days 20-30 of simulation. (\e.g., pass through the region where upwelling is greatest.