Assessment of the Finite-volumE Sea ice-Ocean Model (FESOM2.0) - Part 1: Description of selected key model elements and comparison to its predecessor version
The evaluation and model element description of the second version of the unstructured-mesh Finite-volumE Sea ice-Ocean Model (FESOM2.0) are presented. The new version of the model takes advantage of the finite-volume approach, whereas its predecessor version, FESOM1.4 was based on the finite-elemen...
Published in: | Geoscientific Model Development |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | unknown |
Published: |
COPERNICUS GESELLSCHAFT MBH
2019
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/51980/ https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-4875-2019 https://hdl.handle.net/10013/epic.55b3c20c-ffda-484a-9462-bb750fb26cdb |
Summary: | The evaluation and model element description of the second version of the unstructured-mesh Finite-volumE Sea ice-Ocean Model (FESOM2.0) are presented. The new version of the model takes advantage of the finite-volume approach, whereas its predecessor version, FESOM1.4 was based on the finite-element approach. The model sensitivity to arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) linear and nonlinear free-surface formulation, Gent–McWilliams eddy parameterization, 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 simulates a more realistic Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). Compared to its predecessor, FESOM2.0 provides clearly defined fluxes and a 3 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 follow-up papers. |
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