An analysis of results of a high-resolution world ocean circulation model /

Abstract

Abstract : Results of a highly vectorized and multitasked model of the world ocean circulation were analyzed. This model which uses realistic physics, geometry, and forcing on a high-resolution grid, was run on the NCAR Cray X-MP/48 using a robust-diagnostic strategy. Twenty years of model integration using one-half degree horizontal resolution and 20 levels of vertical resolution were accomplished after 200 wall-clock hours at a maximum FORTRAN performance speed of 450 megaflops. Seven key regions of the world ocean were analyzed using an ocean model processor. A representation of the global ocean circulation emerged that compared well with observations and that included strong advective features, fronts, and subtropical meanders. A diagnostic analysis program was developed to analyze meridional heat and volume transports. The results in all basins appear to be reasonable when compared to the results of other studies. For example, an anomalous northward heat transport of 3.8 x 10 to the 14th power W at 30 deg in the South Atlantic compares favorably with the estimate of 4.2 x 10 to the 14th power W at 32 deg S by Bennett (1978) using hydrographic data. The results of simulations conducted in this study can be compared and contrasted against the results of future eddy-resolving simulations. Keywords: Digital simulation, Advection, Heat transport, Meridional volume transport, Oceanographic fronts, Meanders, Thermoclines, Finite difference analysis. Theses. (EDC)