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A validation of the internal tides in 1/12 degree global HYCOM

J.F. Shriver, B.K. Arbic, J.G. Richman, E.J. Metzger, P.G. Timko and A.J. Wallcraft
Naval Research Laboratory
(Abstract received 12/21/2010 for session X)
ABSTRACT

This work examines results from a five-year global simulation of the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) that simultaneously resolves the eddying general circulation, barotropic tides, and baroclinic tides with 32 layers in the vertical and 1/12.5 degree (equatorial) horizontal grid spacing. The modeled sea surface signature of internal tides globally is compared to the signature seen in along-track satellite altimeter data. This work examines all eight (4 largest semidiurnal and 4 largest diurnal) of the tidal constituents implemented in global HYCOM. The magnitude of the internal tide perturbations in sea surface elevation amplitude and phase globally are found to be quite similar to that observed in satellite altimeter data. The largest differences are found in areas of high mesoscale variability (e.g., Kuroshio, Gulf Stream, Antarctic Circumpolar Current), with the satellite data exhibiting larger magnitude perturbations. These areas are problematic in the satellite data due to time sampling that is not sufficient to resolve the variability.

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2011 LOM Workshop, Miami, Florida February 7 - 9, 2011