The Use of Satellite Remote Sensing Data in Numerical Modeling of The North Pacific Circulation

Abstract

A numerical model’ constructed at the Institute of Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Geophysics (the former Novosibirsk Computing Center), based on the finite element method, has been used for investigation of the sensitivity of the Pacific Ocean circulation to a climatic and satellite derived wind forcing. The model grid covers the region between 30°S and 60°N at a space resolution of 2° in longitude and 1° in latitude with 18 levels in depth. The model includes a block of vertical mixture in the upper layer. Diagnostic experiments were carried out for April and October, 1994. These two months were selected for modeling different states of ocean circulation with weak wind in April (switch from winter monsoon to summer monsoon) and strong wind in October (switch from summer monsoon to winter monsoon). In addition, the short-range prognostic experiments for both climatic and satellite data were carried out for a 3-year period with a seasonal cycle.

Analysis of the results showed that the general circulation of the Pacific Ocean did not essentially change, depending on the different data used. Nevertheless, a more complicated current structure was obtained with the use of satellite data. At the same time, the main boundary currents were more intensive, and the transport volume estimates indicated higher values when climatological data were employed.