Numerical Studies of Flow Past Isolated Seamounts

Numerical Studies of Flow Past Isolated Seamounts
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 3
Release: 1996
Genre:
ISBN:

Our long-range goal was to understand the influence of tall and/or steep topographic features on the ocean circulation. Of particular interest was the occurrence of systematic processes such as upwelling, mixing, eddy shedding, mean flow generation, and the trapping of energy and/or water parcels in the neighborhood of such features. Our approach was to use a sigma-coordinate primitive-equation numerical model to explore the flow past a tall isolated seamount under a variety of conditions, and with varying degrees of realism. We began with several idealized studies of flow past a tall isolated seamount. A number of technical issues were explored in order to better understand the model performance and limitations, as well as to provide insight into model improvements (Beckmann and Haidvogel, 1993). We studied eddy shedding and the formation of regions of trapped fluid, called Taylor caps, resulting from steady flow past a tall, Gaussian-shaped seamount in a stratified ocean (Chapman and Haidvogel, 1992). We quantified the occurrence of Taylor caps for various inflow speeds and seamount heights. We then investigated the generation of internal lee waves over this same idealized seamount, showing that these lee waves result from the local nonlinear acceleration of flow around the seamount, and that they may be important for local mixing (Chapman and Haidvogel, 1993). We also studied the excitation of seamount-trapped waves caused by weak ambient tidal oscillations (Haidvogel et al., 1993). This work confirmed the amplification of these waves under certain conditions and showed that a rectified mean anti-cyclonic flow is generated as well, consistent with observations near Fieberling Guyot.

Mesoscale/Synoptic Coherent Structures in Geophysical Turbulence

Mesoscale/Synoptic Coherent Structures in Geophysical Turbulence
Author: B.M. Jamart
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 859
Release: 1989-07-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080870880

The 20th Liège Colloquium was particularly well attended and these proceedings demonstrate the significant progress achieved in understanding, modelling, and observing geostrophic and near-geostrophic turbulence. The book contains more than 50 review papers and original contributions covering most aspects of the field of mesoscale/synoptic coherent structures in geophysical (oceanographic) turbulence. The properties of isolated vortices (generation, evolution, decay), their interactions with other vortices, with larger scale currents and/or with topography are investigated theoretically and by means of numerical and physical models. Observation of these dynamically important features in different parts of the world ocean are reported. Of particular interest will be the fourteen contributions by scientists from the USSR which emphasize the international character of the meeting. The book thus constitutes a useful and complete overview of the current state-of-the-art.

Seamounts

Seamounts
Author: Tony J. Pitcher
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 552
Release: 2008-04-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0470691263

Seamounts are ubiquitous undersea mountains rising from the ocean seafloor that do not reach the surface. There are likely many hundreds of thousands of seamounts, they are usually formed from volcanoes in the deep sea and are defined by oceanographers as independent features that rise to at least 0.5 km above the seafloor, although smaller features may have the same origin. This book follows a logical progression from geological and physical processes, ecology, biology and biogeography, to exploitation, management and conservation concerns. In 21 Chapters written by 57 of the world’s leading seamount experts, the book reviews all aspects of their geology, ecology, biology, exploitation, conservation and management. In Section I of this book, several detection and estimation techniques for tallying seamounts are reviewed, along with a history of seamount research. This book represents a unique and fresh synthesis of knowledge of seamounts and their biota and is an essential reference work on the topic. It is an essential purchase for all fisheries scientists and managers, fish biologists, marine biologists and ecologists, environmental scientists, conservation biologists and oceanographers. It will also be of interest to members of fish and wildlife agencies and government departments covering conservation and management. Supplementary material is available at: www.seamountsbook.info

Numerical Methods for Shallow-Water Flow

Numerical Methods for Shallow-Water Flow
Author: C.B. Vreugdenhil
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2013-03-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401583544

A wide variety of problems are associated with the flow of shallow water, such as atmospheric flows, tides, storm surges, river and coastal flows, lake flows, tsunamis. Numerical simulation is an effective tool in solving them and a great variety of numerical methods are available. The first part of the book summarizes the basic physics of shallow-water flow needed to use numerical methods under various conditions. The second part gives an overview of possible numerical methods, together with their stability and accuracy properties as well as with an assessment of their performance under various conditions. This enables the reader to select a method for particular applications. Correct treatment of boundary conditions (often neglected) is emphasized. The major part of the book is about two-dimensional shallow-water equations but a discussion of the 3-D form is included. The book is intended for researchers and users of shallow-water models in oceanographic and meteorological institutes, hydraulic engineering and consulting. It also provides a major source of information for applied and numerical mathematicians.

Numerical Modeling of Ocean Circulation

Numerical Modeling of Ocean Circulation
Author: Robert N. Miller
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2007-01-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1139461478

The modelling of ocean circulation is important not only for its own sake, but also in terms of the prediction of weather patterns and the effects of climate change. This 2007 book introduces the basic computational techniques necessary for all models of the ocean and atmosphere, and the conditions they must satisfy. It describes the workings of ocean models, the problems that must be solved in their construction, and how to evaluate computational results. Major emphasis is placed on examining ocean models critically, and determining what they do well and what they do poorly. Numerical analysis is introduced as needed, and exercises are included to illustrate major points. Developed from notes for a course taught in physical oceanography at the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University, this book is ideal for graduate students of oceanography, geophysics, climatology and atmospheric science, and researchers in oceanography and atmospheric science.

Models in Environmental Research

Models in Environmental Research
Author: Hans von Storch
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642595634

In most natural sciences, modeling is a widespread method of gaining new knowledge about natural and technical systems. This book analyses the concepts of 'model' and 'modeling' in different fields of research. The different methods of modeling as well as the potentials and limits of this concept are reflected and discussed. The book presents a variety of modeling techniques, from mathematical models in climatology, meteorology or oceanography to methods used in morphology, decision-making in ecology and physical modeling in oceanography. In this broad overview regarding modeling, the book is unique.

Numerical Models of Oceans and Oceanic Processes

Numerical Models of Oceans and Oceanic Processes
Author: Lakshmi H. Kantha
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 981
Release: 2000-08-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080512909

Oceans play a pivotal role in our weather and climate. Ocean-borne commerce is vital to our increasingly close-knit global community. Yet we do not fully understand the intricate details of how they function, how they interact with the atmosphere, and what the limits are to their biological productivity and their tolerance to wastes. While satellites are helping us to fill in the gaps, numerical ocean models are playing an important role in increasing our ability to comprehend oceanic processes, monitor the current state of the oceans, and to a limited extent, even predict their future state.Numerical Models of Oceans and Oceanic Processes is a survey of the current state of knowledge in this field. It brings together a discussion of salient oceanic dynamics and processes, numerical solution methods, and ocean models to provide a comprehensive treatment of the topic. Starting with elementary concepts in ocean dynamics, it deals with equatorial, mid-latitude, high latitude, and coastal dynamics from the perspective of a modeler. A comprehensive and up-to-date chapter on tides is also included. This is followed by a discussion of different kinds of numerical ocean models and the pre- and post-processing requirements and techniques. Air-sea and ice-ocean coupled models are described, as well as data assimilation and nowcast/forecasts. Comprehensive appendices on wavelet transforms and empirical orthogonal functions are also included.This comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the field should be of interest to oceanographers, atmospheric scientists, and climatologists. While some prior knowledge of oceans and numerical modeling is helpful, the book includes an overview of enough elementary material so that along with its companion volume, Small Scale Processes in Geophysical Flows, it should be useful to both students new to the field and practicing professionals. * Comprehensive and up-to-date review* Useful for a two-semester (or one-semester on selected topics) graduate level course* Valuable reference on the topic* Essential for a better understanding of weather and climate