scholarly journals Improving Detectability of Seafloor Deformation From Bottom Pressure Observations Using Numerical Ocean Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoichiro Dobashi ◽  
Daisuke Inazu

We investigated ocean bottom pressure (OBP) observation data at six plate subduction zones around the Pacific Ocean. The six regions included the Hikurangi Trough, the Nankai Trough, the Japan Trench, the Aleutian Trench, the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and the Chile Trench. For the sake of improving the detectability of seafloor deformation using OBP observations, we used numerical ocean models to represent realistic oceanic variations, and subtracted them from the observed OBP data. The numerical ocean models included four ocean general circulation models (OGCMs) of HYCOM, GLORYS, ECCO2, and JCOPE2M, and a single-layer ocean model (SOM). The OGCMs are mainly driven by the wind forcing. The SOM is driven by wind and/or atmospheric pressure loading. The modeled OBP was subtracted from the observed OBP data, and root-mean-square (RMS) amplitudes of the residual OBP variations at a period of 3–90 days were evaluated by the respective regions and by the respective numerical ocean models. The OGCMs and SOM driven by wind alone (SOMw) contributed to 5–27% RMS reduction in the residual OBP. When SOM driven by atmospheric pressure alone (SOMp) was added to the modeled OBP, residual RMS amplitudes were additionally reduced by 2–15%. This indicates that the atmospheric pressure is necessary to explain substantial amounts of observed OBP variations at the period. The residual RMS amplitudes were 1.0–1.7 hPa when SOMp was added. The RMS reduction was relatively effective as 16–42% at the Hikurangi Trough, the Nankai Trough, and the Japan Trench. The residual RMS amplitudes were relatively small as 1.0–1.1 hPa at the Nankai Trough and the Chile Trench. These results were discussed with previous studies that had identified slow slips using OBP observations. We discussed on further accurate OBP modeling, and on improving detectability of seafloor deformation using OBP observation arrays.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Yokota ◽  
Tadashi Ishikawa ◽  
Shun-ichi Watanabe ◽  
Yuto Nakamura

<p>Our research group has been studying advanced GNSS-A (Global Navigation Satellite System – Acoustic ranging combination) technique over two decades. In recent years, detection sensitivity of GNSS-A observations has been sophisticated by improving the accuracy and frequency of analysis technology and acoustic systems [e.g., Yokota et al., 2018, MGR; Ishikawa et al., in prep]. The current observation frequency is more than 4 times/year, the observation accuracy for each observation is less than 2 cm, and it can detect a steady deformation rate of 1 cm/year or less and an unsteady fluctuation of 5 cm or less. Also, efforts are being made to strengthen the observation network.</p><p>GNSS-A observations for the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake and its postseismic field revealed the details of the crustal deformation field on the Japan Trench side [Sato et al., 2011, Science; Watanabe et al., 2014, GRL]. The long-term observation data in the Nankai Trough region revealed the strain accumulation process at the interseismic period [Yokota et al., 2016, Nature; Watanabe et al., 2018, JGR; Nishimura et al., 2018, Geosphere]. Furthermore, detection and monitoring of large-scale slow slip events (SSEs) in the shallow part of the Nankai Trough was achieved by recent sensitivity improvements [Yokota & Ishikawa, 2020, Science Advances]. The detected postseismic fields, coupling condition and shallow SSEs contain universal features that should be shared in many subduction zones. Here, along with the latest observations, we discuss spatial and temporal relationships of these events, strain accumulations and releases along subduction zones around Japan by GNSS-A and its impact on slow earthquake science.</p><p>Recently, because of the need for continuous monitoring a shallow SSE, the monitoring ability of GNSS-A was also investigated. It was confirmed that relatively large-scale shallow SSE (surface deformation: > 5 cm) could be monitored. However, the ability to determine the time constant of an SSE is poor. For monitoring the detail of an SSE, it is essential to improve the observation frequency in the future. Here, we also discuss the technical issues to be considered and their solution plans (e.g., new platform and system).</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 200-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Haji Hosseini ◽  
Saeed Golian ◽  
Jafar Yazdi

Abstract Assessment of climate change in future periods is considered necessary, especially with regard to probable changes to water resources. One of the methods for estimating climate change is the use of the simulation outputs of general circulation models (GCMs). However, due to the low resolution of these models, they are not applicable to regional and local studies and downscaling methods should be applied. The purpose of the present study was to use GCM models' outputs for downscaling precipitation measurements at Amameh station in Latyan dam basin. For this purpose, the observation data from the Amameh station during the 1980–2005 period, 26 output variables from two GCM models, namely, HadCM3 and CanESM2 were used. Downscaling was performed by three data-driven methods, namely, artificial neural network (ANN), nonparametric K-nearest neighborhood (KNN) method, and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system method (ANFIS). Comparison of the monthly results showed the superiority of KNN compared to the other two methods in simulating precipitation. However, all three, ANN, KNN, and ANFIS methods, showed satisfactory results for both HadDCM3 and CanESM2 GCM models in downscaling precipitation in the study area.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianjun Meng ◽  
Yuteng Xiao

We summarized the basic contents and the applicable conditions of typicalatmospheric sulfur cycle models, especially the classical atmospheric sulfur cycle model and the independent sulfur cycle model which is based on OsloCTM2 model.We introduced atmospheric sulfur cycle models which are coupled with some general circulation models such as ECHAM, LMDZ, CSIRO, MASINGAR, RCA2, NICAM and MIROC. Although there are many kinds of atmospheric sulfur cycle models, there are still some problems such as lack of relevant data support, comprehensive consideration of chemistry, radiation and dynamics, and interdisciplinary integrated research in the study of sulfur cycle models. To solve these problems, we proposed to optimize the quality of atmospheric sulfur emission and observation data, establish a shared database system, formulate relevant database usage regulations, strengthen the cooperation and resource sharing among subjects, and establish comprehensive high-resolution atmospheric sulfur cycle models.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Schoonover ◽  
William Dewar ◽  
Nicolas Wienders ◽  
Jonathan Gula ◽  
James C. McWilliams ◽  
...  

AbstractNumerical simulations are conducted across model platforms and resolutions with a focus on the North Atlantic. Barotropic vorticity diagnostics confirm that the subtropical gyre is characterized by an inviscid balance primarily between the applied wind stress curl and bottom pressure torque. In an area-integrated budget over the Gulf Stream, the northward return flow is balanced by bottom pressure torque. These integrated budgets are shown to be consistent across model platforms and resolution, suggesting that these balances are robust. Two of the simulations, at 100- and 10-km resolutions, produce a more northerly separating Gulf Stream but obtain the correct integrated vorticity balances. In these simulations, viscous torque is nonnegligible on smaller scales, indicating that the separation is linked to the details of the local dynamics. These results are shown to be consistent with a scale analysis argument that suggests that the biharmonic viscous torque in particular is upsetting the inviscid balance in simulations with a more northerly separation. In addition to providing evidence for locally controlled inviscid separation, these results provide motivation to revisit the formulation of subgrid-scale parameterizations in general circulation models.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1337-1373
Author(s):  
S. Xu ◽  
B. Wang ◽  
J. Liu

Abstract. In this article we propose two conformal mapping based grid generation algorithms for global ocean general circulation models (OGCMs). Contrary to conventional, analytical forms based dipolar or tripolar grids, the new algorithms are based on Schwarz–Christoffel (SC) conformal mapping with prescribed boundary information. While dealing with the basic grid design problem of pole relocation, these new algorithms also address more advanced issues such as smoothed scaling factor, or the new requirements on OGCM grids arisen from the recent trend of high-resolution and multi-scale modeling. The proposed grid generation algorithm could potentially achieve the alignment of grid lines to coastlines, enhanced spatial resolution in coastal regions, and easier computational load balance. Since the generated grids are still orthogonal curvilinear, they can be readily utilized in existing Bryan–Cox–Semtner type ocean models. The proposed methodology can also be applied to the grid generation task for regional ocean modeling where complex land–ocean distribution is present.


Author(s):  
Hamidreza Azizi ◽  
Hossein Ebrahimi ◽  
Hossein Mohammad Vali Samani ◽  
Vida Khaki

Abstract In this research, a number of paired three-dimensional Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Models (AOGCM) from CMIP (Climate Model Inter Comparison Project) 5 group with the base period of 1989–2005 have been evaluated and the output of these models was micro-scaled and calibrated by LARS-WG software. The appropriate model was selected to simulate temperature and rainfall data under the emission scenarios of RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) 2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 for the future period of 2020–2050, and then to model the groundwater level of the region, GMS software for both stable and transient states for one water year was calibrated and then was validated by observation data. The results in the future periods showed an increase of 1–1.5 degrees in temperature and an increase in rainfall in the early months of the year to late spring season and a decrease in rainfall in autumn season. Generally, the RCP4.5 scenario showed slightly more annual rainfall increase over the next 30 years compared to the base period than the other two scenarios. The time series investigation of the average of groundwater level shows that the implementation of RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios respectively leads to an average monthly increase of 4.2, 4.3 and 4.6 cm of the groundwater level.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 4489-4511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanwoo Song ◽  
Sungsu Park ◽  
Jihoon Shin

AbstractAs a contribution to understanding the genesis of tropical cyclones (TCs), we compared TC genesis processes simulated by the Seoul National University Atmosphere Model version 0 with a Unified Convection Scheme (SAM0) and the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5) with those from the ERA-Interim reanalysis (ERA-Interim, hereafter ERAI) and best track observations. In contrast to previous studies that estimated the TC genesis potential using the Eulerian mean environmental conditions, we calculated the probability of a pre-existing weak cyclonic embryo vortex (EV) developing into a TC by analyzing changes in the environmental conditions along the EV trajectories. Our analysis indicates that the spatial distribution and annual cycles of TCs obtained from the SAM0 and ERAI are similar to those obtained from the best track observation data. With the exception of the mesoscale convective organization and associated variables, most environmental variables along the trajectories of DEVs (EVs developing into TCs) showed monotonic variations. When EVs were born, environmental conditions of DEVs were significantly different from those of nondeveloping EVs, allowing for the prediction of TC genesis. In general, TC genesis probability increased as the environment became more cyclonic, moist, unstable, and with a weaker wind shear. Rapidly strengthening EVs were more likely to develop into TCs. SAM0 and ERAI have the same combination of environmental variables with the best prediction skill for TC genesis—absolute vorticity at 850 hPa, column saturation deficit, sea surface temperature, vertical shear of horizontal winds between 200 and 850 hPa, and latitude—with similar sensitivities to individual environmental variables, indicating that SAM0 well simulates the observed TC genesis processes.


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