Development cycle 2 of the Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy2)

P Jöckel,A Kerkweg,A Pozzer,B Kern,R Sander,S Gromov,H Riede,H Tost,A Baumgaertner

doi:10.5194/gmd-3-717-2010

Abstract

Abstract. The Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy) is an open, multi-institutional project providing a strategy for developing comprehensive Earth System Models (ESMs) with highly flexible complexity. The first version of the MESSy infrastructure and process submodels, mainly focusing on atmospheric chemistry, has been successfully coupled to an atmospheric General Circulation Model (GCM) expanding it into an Atmospheric Chemistry GCM (AC-GCM) for nudged simulations and into a Chemistry Climate Model (CCM) for climate simulations. Here, we present the second development cycle of MESSy, which comprises (1) an improved and extended infrastructure for the basemodel independent coupling of process-submodels, (2) new, highly valuable diagnostic capabilities for the evaluation with observational data and (3) an improved atmospheric chemistry setup. With the infrastructural changes, we place the headstone for further model extensions from a CCM towards a comprehensive ESM. The new diagnostic submodels will be used for regular re-evaluations of the continuously further developing model system. The updates of the chemistry setup are briefly evaluated.

Highlights

The Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy, Jöckel et al., 2005) defines a strategy for building comprehensive EarthSystem Models (ESMs) from process based modules, the soCorrespondence to: P
The basic idea is to organise the code into 4 different layers: the basemodel layer (BML) consists only of a central clock and run-time control, currently typically of a general circulation model (GCM) or a box model
The basemodel interface layer (BMIL) comprises the basemodel specific implementation of the MESSy infrastructure; it can be regarded as a multiple socket outlet for the communication between the basemodel and the submodels

Summary

Introduction

The Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy, Jöckel et al., 2005) defines a strategy for building comprehensive EarthSystem Models (ESMs) from process based modules, the soCorrespondence to: P. The basemodel interface layer (BMIL) comprises the basemodel specific implementation of the MESSy infrastructure; it can be regarded as a multiple socket outlet for the communication between the basemodel and the submodels. The submodel interface layer (SMIL) represents the connector of a specific process to the infrastructure (BMIL). Last but not least, the submodel core layer (SMCL) comprises the basemodel independent implementation of a specific process in the Earth System, or of a diagnostic tool of the model system. It can be regarded as an operator using the data provided via its SMIL and providing data back via its SMIL to other submodels and/or the basemodel. More, yet unpublished, submodels are listed on the project page

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