Atmosphere and ocean modeling on grids of variable resolution - A 2D case study

AbstractGrids of variable resolution are of great interest in atmosphere and ocean modeling as they offer a route to higher local resolution and improved solutions. On the other hand there are changes in grid resolution considered to be problematic because of the errors they create between coarse and fine parts of a grid due to reflection and scattering of waves. On complex multidimensional domains these errors resist theoretical investigation and demand numerical experiments. With a low-order hybrid continuous/discontinuous finite-element model of the inviscid and viscous shallow-water equations a numerical study is carried out that investigates the influence of grid refinement on critical features such as wave propagation, turbulent cascades, and the representation of geostrophic balance. The refinement technique the authors use is static h refinement, where additional grid cells are inserted in regions of interest known a priori. The numerical tests include planar and spherical geometry as well as flow...

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