Modeling Coastal Currents

Models help researchers interpret ocean dynamics, leading to discoveries not possible with observations alone. COAS is well-known for its strength in modeling. Professors John Allen, Gary Egbert and Robert Miller work on CIOSS projects, incorporating satellite data into models and making sure the models correctly incorporate ocean dynamics.

While a COAS research faculty member, Paul Choboter worked from a theoretical model proposed by Joseph Pedlosky to explain the alongshore currents near coastlines on the eastern boundaries of oceans, such as the West coast of the U.S.

Choboter’s work on the model provides a mathematical description of the evolution of the coastal ocean during the process of wind-driven upwelling. This provides, for example, theoretical predictions for how quickly the cold fluid is pulled to the surface, and how rapidly the surface and deep currents accelerate while the fluid is upwelled.

More accurate models of coastal dynamics help answer basic questions about how things in the ocean are moved around—nutrients, plankton, waters of different temperature and chemistry.

Basic processes along the Oregon coastline: prevailing winds blow toward the equator, the undercurrent moves poleward and cold waters bring suspended nutrients to the surface.