Assessment of the Finite VolumE Sea Ice Ocean Model (FESOM2.0), Part I: Description of selected key model elements and comparison to its predecessor version

Abstract. The evaluation and model element description of the second version of the unstructured-mesh Finite-volumE Sea ice–Ocean circulation Model (FESOM2.0) is presented. The model sensitivity to arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) linear and nonlinear free surface formulation, Gent McWilliams eddy parameterisation, isoneutral Redi diffusion and different vertical mixing schemes is documented. The hydrographic biases, large scale circulation, numerical performance and scalability of FESOM2.0 are compared with its predecessor FESOM1.4. FESOM2.0 shows biases with a magnitude comparable to FESOM1.4 and it simulates a more realistic AMOC. Compared to its predecessor FESOM2.0 provides clearly defined fluxes and a three times higher throughput in terms of simulated years per day (SYPD). It is thus the first mature global unstructured-mesh ocean model with computational efficiency comparable to state-of-the-art structured-mesh ocean models. Other key elements of the model and new development will be described in following-up papers.

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