Figure 8: Contours of temperature at the same time as shown in the previous figure. Contour intervals are 1°C for layers 1-3 and 0.5°C for layer 4.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The Thermodynamic Ocean Modelling System (TOMS) is a flexible modelling tool that can be applied to a range of estuarine and ocean problems. The Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) method has proven very useful as a vertical coordinate representation for ocean models. One advantages is that one can used lower vertical resolution than in level models, since the layers can be positioned where the maximum vertical density gradients are found. Inclusion of bulk mixed layer physics is simple and efficient. Because of the general layer design, the actual mixed layer may be a single layer, or include several layers. The few examples of model runs shown here, demonstrates that TOMS can give realistic simulations of flows in the tropical and subtropical oceans. The applicable models range from a reduced gravity model (1.5 Iayer model) to a general circulation model, although bottom topography is limited to the deepest layer. The model design makes it possible to run a similar model with and without thermodynamics or with and without bottom topography to study the effects on the circulation. The modelling system have already many choices of numerical schemes and boundary conditions and more will be added in the future.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work is cosponsored by Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC), which funds the International Pacific Research Center (IPRC) and U.S. Dept. of Energy through grant DE-FG03-96ER62167 to Colorado State University.
REFERENCES
Benson, D. J. , 1992: Computational methods in Lagrangian and Eulerian hydrocodes, Comp. Meth. Appl. Mech. Eng., 99, 235-394.
Bleck, R. and D. B. Boudra , 1986: Wind-driven spin-up in eddy-resolving ocean models formulated in isopycnic and isobaric coordinates, J. Geophys. Res., 91, 7611-7622.
Hirt, C. W., A. A. Amsden and J. L. Cook , 1974: An arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian computing method for all flow speeds. J. Comput. Phys., 14, 227-253.
Jensen, T. G. , 1991: Modeling the seasonal undercurrents in the Somali current system, J. Geophys. Res., 96, 22,151-22,167.
