Numerical Ocean Modeling

Course outline:

The goal of this course is to provide the students basic knowledge on the techniques of numerical ocean  modeling, and provide an overview of existing ocean models and their capabilities. Towards the end of the class we will explore also the nature of thermohaline flows in some detail

Basic knowledge of programming language such as Fortran or Matlab is needed.


Synopsis:

Introduction (1-12-06)

Taylor expansions and finite differences (1-19-06)

Spatial discretization (1-26-06)

Expansion methods (2-2-06)

Time-dependent problems (will be shifted)

Space-time discretization (will be shifted)

2-dimensional advection (will be shifted)

shallow water equations (3-2-06, 3-9-06)

barotropic equations (3-16-06, 3-23-06)

quasi-geostrophic equations (3-30-06, 4-06-06)

ocean general circulation modeling (4-13-06, has to be shifted)

vertical coordinates (4) (4-27-06)

the thermohaline circulation (5-4-06, 5-11-06)

Instructor: Prof. Axel Timmermann (IPRC, phone 9562720, axel@hawaii.edu)

Hours: Thursday: 4.00pm--5.30pm MSB 315


Textbooks No required textbook, but two reference books:

Kantha and Clayson: Numerical Models of Oceans and Oceanic Processes, Academic Press

Charles Mader: Numerical Modeling of Water Waves, Los Alamos Series in Basic and Applied Sciences

Numerical Ocean Circulation Modeling


Grading method:

General participation 33.3%

Homework 33.3%

Project 33.3%


Student Projects

1.5 layer equatorial beta plane model

Shallow water model

Tsunami model

2-d ocean model of the thermohaline circulation


Homeworks:

1-d wave equation (Different schemes)

1-d diffusion equation (Different schemes)

1-d Burgers equation

2-d Burgers equation

Stommel, Munk equation

and more...................


Lectures to be posted: