Workshop on Numerical Methods in Ocean Models

The purpose of this workshop is to bring together scientists and engineers active in the field of ocean model development. Participants will discuss and debate avenues towards the creation of leading edge ocean models for use in regional and global applications. The workshop emphasis is on fundamentals of design and methods, rather than applications. The workshop will provide a venue where international participants educate one another on the latest advances in ocean model development. It will also provide feedback and recommendations to the two scientific organizers of the workshop: International CLIVAR Working Group on Ocean Model Development (WGOMD) and the Layerd Ocean Model (LOM) steering committee.

Registration:

The Workshop is OPEN to any interested scientist, engineer or student. Registration is now closed.

Organizers:

CLIVAR Working Group for Ocean Model Development (WGOMD)

Amongst other responsibilities, this working group is charges with the task of promoting the interaction between researchers within the ocean modelling community. This group meets every 18-24 months. Their next meeting is scheduled for 25-26 August in Bergen, Norway. WGOMD will provide logistical support for the workshop, with Anna Pirani as the main contact.

Layered Ocean Model (LOM) steering committee

The LOM community has for many years gathered annually to discuss issues relevant for isopycnal and hybrid layered models. Their annual meeting for 2007 is August 20-22 in Bergen, Norway.

Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre (NERSC)

The Workshop is being hosted by the NERSC in Bergen.

Scientific Organizing Committee

Claus Boening (IFM-GEOMAR), Eric Chassignet (COAPS), Helge Drange (NERSC), Stephen Griffies (GFDL), Robert Hallberg (GFDL), Mohamed Iskandarani (RSMAS), Anne-Marie Treguier (IFREMER)

CLIVAR Staff Scientist: Anna Pirani

Motivation:

Ocean models have reached a stage of adolescence, in which the first generation of models created in the 1970s-1990s is steadily evolving into a second stage. The second stage is characterized by models with a high level of scientific integrity and transparency, where codes employ state of the art methods, maintain scientific documentation, and emphasize ease of use for a broad community.

The evolution of ocean models is prompted by a growing range of high profile scientific and engineering applications, from refined resolution regional modelling and forecasting to centennial-millenial global earth system modelling aimed at projecting future climate. Groups worldwide are aiming to improve model design and numerical soundness to better meet the needs of these applications. This work involves a significant number of fundamental questions, such as what equations to solve, which coordinate system to solve the equations, what horizontal and vertical mesh is appropriate, what physical parameterizations are required, and what numerical algorithms allow for computational efficiency without sacrificing scientific integrity.

Furthermore, given the increasing size of many applications, as well as the difficulties of doing everything in just one group, there is a growing level of collaboration between groups. This collaboration spans the spectrum of algorithm sharing to merging previously disparate code bases.

Organization:

The two-day workshop is organized around a selection of fundamental topics, with invited speakers presenting a 50 minute pedagogical overview. Each speaker will emphasize key research and development issues required to bring ocean models to a new level of numerical robustness, with an associated increase in physical integrity and reliability. After each keynote presentation, 30-40 minutes is allocated for other participants to contribute their perspective. Candid and open discussions and debate are strongly encouraged in order to uncover and articulate hurdles, either fundamental or practical, facing various development avenues.

Participants are encouraged to bring posters to the Workshop. Eventhough there will not be a dedicated poster session, boards will be available for informal poster viewing during the Workshop breaks. The preferred format is portrait, with a maximum width of 100cm.

Proposed Sessions:

Please click here for a preliminary outline of the Workshop sessions.

Logistics:

Information on Bergen, accommodation and the Workshop venue can be found here.

Product:

The workshop keynote speakers will be responsible for writing an extended abstract of their material. They will also include selections from other contributors to their session. This material will be included in the WGOMD's report on the workshop.