Numeerisen analyysin ja laskennallisen tieteen seminaari

10.4.2006  klo 14.15  U356

Prof. Dr. Aike Beckmann, University of Helsinki, Department of Physical Sciences

Numerical modelling of the global ice-ocean system

Abstract:  An increasingly large part of climate research involves the numerical simulation of the components of the Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryopshere, biosphere). Ocean modelling is particularly challenging due to the combined effects of Earth's roatation, varying fluid stratification, highly variable topography and complex geometry, leading to a geophysical multi-scale system. Much effort has been put into the utilization of various coodinate systems, and the development of suitabale parametrization for unresolved processes.

My presentation will first give an introduction to the basic problems and some state-of-the-art solution methods, exemplified by idealized process studies, e.g., the downslope flow of dense water.

In the second part of the presentation, the results of recent glocal ice-ocean modelling studies are used to illustrate our progress in simulating high latitude oceans and sea iec cover, as well as the large influence of numerical algorithms and parameterizations even at the today's highest achievable moedl resolution.