The TRR 181 seminar is held by Dr. Lars Czeschel (Universität Hamburg) on December 16, 11am.

On the impact of the sea state on upper ocean dynamics

Abstract

The effects of surface waves in the vast majority of general circulation and climate models are parameterised implicitly by using empirically determined parameters like the drag coefficient. These parameters are usually based on the local atmospheric wind rather than the actual sea state despite the dominance of swell in the overall global wave energy.

Using large eddy simulations (LES), we explore several processes in a first step to answer the important question, if future climate models should be coupled to surface wave models. These processes includes Langmuir turbulence, wave driven inertial-oscillations and the impact on frontal structures within the mixed layer. Special focus will be given to the swell compartm