Author(s): Varjola Nelko; Vivien Chua
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: South China Sea; Unstructured grid; SUNTANS; Grid resolution; Tidal circulation
Abstract: In this project, a coastal ocean model, Stanford Unstructured Nonhydrostatic Terrain-following Adaptive Navier-Stokes Simulator (SUNTANS), was applied to the South China Sea region to perform depth-averaged simulations of the tidally forced circulation. The model was forced at the boundaries using eight main tidal constituents as derived from the OSU Tidal Prediction Software (OTPS). The model-predicted surface elevations compare well with the observed surface elevations at ten stations in the South China Sea. The mean squared error in the model-predicted surface elevations is less than 15% . At some of the stations, the correlation coefficient is as high as 0. 9. In this paper, we first provide an overview of existing observations, theories and simulations of the South China Sea. Then, we discuss the effect of the boundaries and resolution of the bathymetry. Finally, we summarize issues and questions that remain to be addressed, with reference to coastal boundaries and resolution of the grid.
Year: 2013