Application of a two-way nested model to the seamount problem

Abstract

A two-way nested model has been constructed and applied to the idealized ocean where a uniform mean flow impinges on the isolated Gaussian-shaped seamount and produces two eddies (cold and warm) in the depths. The performance of the nested model has been evaluated subjectively and objectively. Both subjective and objective analyses confirm the traditional view that the nested model can well capture the performance of isolated eddies. Objective analysis, however, reveals some quantitatively important features of a two-way nested model. One is penetration of improved features into the coarse domain and another is the deterioration of mean flow field inside the nested area, neither of which is clear from subjective analysis. With successful application of two-way nested model to the seamount problem, we expect that such a nested model will also be applicable to other oceanic phenomena, particularly to some coastal problems whose time scale is short and where the topographic effects are dominant.