Invitation to Participate
Prince William Sound Field Experiment 2007
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Carl Schoch
E-mail: cschoch [at] nprb.org
Phone: 907-644-6712
The Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) is sponsoring a four week field
experiment in August 2007 to evaluate regional forecast models for wind,
waves, and ocean circulation in Prince William Sound.
The objective is to quantitatively evaluate the performance of forecast
models in Prince William Sound, including the Regional Atmospheric Modeling
System (RAMS) and regional oceanic modeling system (ROMS), the Princeton
Ocean Model (POM) at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine
and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), the Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN)
model, and the General NOAA Oil Modeling Environment (GNOME) trajectory
model.
Model performance evaluations will be based on comparisons with
observational data collected during a four week field experiment in August
2007 and model performance during a 2004 experiment.
The overarching questions are:
- How well are the models able to predict atmospheric and oceanic water
properties, wave conditions, and circulation patterns in different areas of
Prince William Sound?
- Have the model forecasts for the central basin improved from those in
2004?
- What is the cost/benefit of the AOOS for oil spill trajectory modeling?
AOOS is now providing access to real-time and historical observational data
for Prince William Sound from one data portal (http://ak.aoos.org). These
data are available to the developers of the atmospheric and ocean
circulation models and a wave model to facilitate assimilation and
validation. During the field experiment, drifting buoys will be repeatedly
deployed, retrieved, and redeployed during a two to four week period. There
will be an emphasis on model validation of surface and deeper currents in
the central basin, so the majority of drifter deployments will occur within
the field of view of an existing Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar
(CODAR). Additional deployments will occur around the perimeter of the
Sound to validate the velocity of surface currents forced predominantly by
fresh water runoff and track the fate of Lagrangian drifters that mimic
Coast Guard Search and Rescue targets as well as oil spill trajectories.
Wave gauges will be deployed at locations of specific interest to wave
modelers.
The experiment will provide the opportunity for individuals and
institutions to test new sensors, platforms, and models. Ecological studies
are encouraged and may also be supported with a variety of logistical
platforms.
If you would like additional information about the field trial, would like
to assist with funding or logistics, or have additional experiments to add
to the trial, please contact:
Dr. Carl Schoch
E-mail: cschoch [at] nprb.org
Phone: 907-644-6712