COASTAL MODELING

Given the large spatio-temporal variability of coastal systems, any coastal observing system will always be insufficient to fully capture all scales of variability. In addition, observations will always be retrospective, with limited power to make predictions. Models are ideally suited to bridge these gaps, forming a complete observing and modeling system.

To this end, we are developing and running ocean models of the Santa Monica Bight, the Southern California Bight, and the whole U.S. West Coast. These modeling studies all employ the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) (see ROMS website at UCLA and at Rutgers). Current activities include:

• upwelling events and other episodic events
• tidal forcing
• island wakes
• ecosystem and biogeochemical cycles
• hindcast and forecast (in collaboration with JPL see their website)

We are also collaborating with atmospheric scientists in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences to improve the atmospheric forcing fields.