9316624 Willsky A new prognostic model of the global ocean circulation is being developed based on the Navier-Stokes equations, using state-of-the-art parallel computers and languages with an ultimate goal of creating a global ocean modeling/estimation tool that can be used for climate research. A key element of this endeavor is the development of statistical estimation algorithms for the assimilation of data into the forward model. The combined forward/estimation model could be used to estimate the state of the ocean form observations constrained by dynamics. The data of concern is sparse, heterogeneous and multiresolution and the associated global ocean circulation models are of gargantuan size, having upwards of 10 ~ 10 degrees of freedom. The resulting estimation problem is of such a large size that standard computational procedures become prohibitive. Novel approaches to statistical modeling and the circulation models are needed. We proposed the first steps in this direction through the establishment of a collaboration involving physical oceanographers and probabilistic modeling and statistical inference specialists. The short term focal point of this collaboration is the definition and solution of a series of subproblems designed to foster understanding insight, and mutual communication and in the process advance the state of the art in both data assimilation for global ocean modeling and statistical modeling and estimation of random fields. ***
