| Summary: | The circulation in the Weddell Sea is simulated by means of a 2D numerical model which solves the depth-averaged St. Venant equations. An appropriate application of these equations makes it possible to calculate surface currents for shelf area and for the deep sea as well. The St. Venant equations are integrated numerically by a finite difference method using an alternating direction implicit (ADI) scheme with the splitting-up of the continuity equation. This gives rise to a very efficient computer implementation. All the calculations can be carried out on a personal computer PC-AT and take about 15 min for a full tidal cycle. The model can thus serve for operational, i .e. real time purposes. Results are presented for wind-driven and tidal-induced circulations. The wind pattern is obtained by using mean monthly data (Taljaard et al., 1969). The tidal circulation is calculated by open boundary forcing (8 tidal components) obtained from global ocean tidal simulations (E.W. Schwiderski, 1983). The calculations show a qualitatively good result compared with observed features of the Weddell Sea circulation. The circumpolar current and the high flow velocities in the Drake passage are satisfactorily reproduced.
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