 |
| Sea
surface height variability: satellite
measurements (top) vs model predictions
(bottom). (Click
here to see larger version.) |
Computer simulations of the Earth's
climate are more accurate than ever
now, thanks to recent advances in
ocean modeling using massively parallel
computers. With their expertise in
fluid dynamics modeling and associated
numerical methods, Los Alamos National
Laboratory scientists restructured
an old ocean circulation model and
introduced new algorithms for key
processes and boundary conditions
to build the Parallel Ocean Program
(POP). The model has sufficient spatial
resolution (0.1 degree latitude and
longitude, compared to the previous
0.5 degree state of the art) and new
formulations for transport and diffusion
needed to simulate energy-containing
eddies. With POP, researchers carried
out the first dynamical simulations
of global ocean circulation that explicitly
and correctly simulated the transport
of heat by ocean currents. The simulation
then was compared with observations,
a key step in the development of realistic
models for regional climate studies.
Both POP and Los Alamos' innovative
approach to modeling sea ice dynamics
(called CICE) have been incorporated
into the latest climate system model
used by the National Center for Atmospheric
Research.
Scientific Impact:
The enhanced resolution provides a
new level of realism for global simulations;
many important aspects of Atlantic
Ocean circulation have been captured
accurately for the first time. Both
POP and CICE have growing user communities,
including oceanographers.
Social Impact: Explicit
simulation of ocean heat transport
will enable scientists to model and
predict climate variations and long-term
climate change. The models could be
used to simulate projected climate
change under different anthropogenic
emission scenarios, and thus contribute
to sound policy making and a better
quality of life for future generations.
Reference: L.-L.
Fu and R. D. Smith, "1996: Global
ocean circulation from satellite altimetry
and high-resolution computer simulation,"
Bull. Am. Meteor. Soc., 11:2625-2636.
M. E. Maltrud, R. D. Smith, A. J.
Semtner, R. C. Malone, "1998: Global
eddy resolving ocean simulations driven
by 1985-1995 atmospheric winds," J.
Geophys. Res., 103:30825-30853.
R. D. Smith, M. E. Maltrud, F. O.
Bryan, and M. W. Hecht, "2001: Numerical
Simulation of the North Atlantic Ocean
at 1/10ยบ," J. Phys. Oceanogr.,
30:1532-1561.
Technical Contact:
Dr. Dave Bader, Environmental Sciences
Division, Office of Biological and
Environmental Research, 301, 903-5329
Press Contact: Jeff
Sherwood, DOE Office of Public Affairs,
202-586-5806
SC-Funding Office:
Office of Biological and Environmental
Research |
