Thetis-SWAN: A Python-interfaced wave–current interactions coupled system

Abstract

Wave–Current Interactions (WCI) emerge in nearshore coastal areas, prompting the development of coupled modelling systems to simulate these phenomena. We present a new multi-scale parallelised Python-interfaced WCI coupled system adopting a component-based approach enabling model-component integration without inhibiting their respective development. The underlying principles emphasise model equitability, flexibility and language interoperability. The hybrid model comprises the spectral wave model SWAN and the 2-D shallow-water equation model, Thetis. The coupling is performed through the Basic Model Interface. The coupled WCI model is the first to employ a Python interface, while maintaining the efficiency of different lower-level compiled programming languages, Fortran for SWAN and C for Thetis. We discuss the system implementation, architecture, and underlying physics considered. The coastal waters of Duck, NC, serve as a practical demonstration in simulating WCI. We then elaborate on the rationale for the coupled system design to inform the development of coupled modelling frameworks for environmental systems.