The 43rd meeting of the Sandbox Series will be held online:
To join remotely via Webex:
https://stuod.my.webex.com/stuod.my/j.php?MTID=m6cbd750462f369b27ea3d39fe4506d5f
Problems and prospects at the frontier of ocean model theory and practice
Abstract:
We discuss questions related to representation and parameterization in
global ocean climate modelling. First, we consider mesoscale eddy
backscatter as a method that enhances the energetics of scales
explicitly represented, rather than parameterizing scales that are
missing. Advances with backscatter suggest that it can allow us to
remove traditional mesoscale parameterizations well before fully
resolving the mesoscale. However, there remain outstanding issues with
backscatter, possibly related to ocean boundaries. Second, we
summarize results on global climate modeling that point to the payoffs
arising from respecting the ocean’s relatively small levels of
interior diapyncal mixing, while admitting a suitably strong level of
vertical buoyancy transport by mesoscale eddies. This work has
resulted, for the first time, in an understanding, and resolution, of
the climate model drift conundrum that plagues all CMIP class models.
We close by speculating that fundamental advances in model theory and
practice will result from enhancing the simulated vorticity and
potential vorticity fields, particularly in their connection to
mechanical processes at boundaries.
Schedule
12.00-13.00: Stephen Griffies
13.00-14.00: Discussion