Ocean model (numerical oceanography)

An ocean model is a computational representation of ocean processes, used to simulate conditions such as circulation, temperature, salinity, and waves.

Connect

Primitive equations: A set of fluid-dynamics equations describing large-scale motion in the atmosphere and ocean. Ocean circulation models commonly solve these equations, with approximations suited to planetary-scale flows.
Ocean forecasting: The prediction of ocean conditions over coming hours, days, or seasons using observations and models. Operational ocean models produce forecasts of currents, temperature, sea level, and other conditions.
Ocean circulation: The large-scale movement of seawater driven by winds, density differences, tides, and other forces. It is a central target of models that simulate ocean-wide transport and climate interactions.
Physical ocean model: A scaled or full-size physical representation of ocean phenomena, studied through laboratory or field experiments. Unlike a computational model, it represents processes with real fluids and physical apparatus.
Finite-difference method: A numerical method that approximates derivatives using values at discrete points. It converts the continuous equations of ocean motion into computations on a grid.
Ocean reanalysis: A reconstruction of past ocean conditions produced by combining observations with a consistent model over time. Reanalysis systems use ocean models to create gridded historical estimates from uneven measurements.
Equation of state for seawater: A relation describing seawater density as a function of properties such as temperature, salinity, and pressure. Models use seawater density to calculate buoyancy forces and stratification.
Ocean observing system: A coordinated network of instruments that measures ocean conditions in place or remotely. Observing systems collect measurements; numerical models calculate evolving ocean states.
Staggered grid: A computational grid that places different variables at offset locations rather than at identical points. Many ocean models use this arrangement to represent velocity and pressure while limiting numerical artifacts.
Ocean general circulation model: A numerical model that simulates large-scale ocean circulation and associated physical properties. This model type is used to study basin-scale currents and climate interactions.