Accuracy of trajectory calculation in a finite-difference circulation model

Abstract The prediction of drifting object motion due to currents in an irregular body is a complex problem with a wide range of practical applications. Simple numerical methods for interpolating current velocity fields have spatial interpolation and time integration errors that result in misleading solutions. The method described in this paper minimizes these problems, yielding much more accurate predictions. This method can be easily implemented in other finite-difference models or finite-element models.