OCE 96-33057 Becker The project will use two types of general circulation models to investigate effects of topography and stratification on western boundary currents which cannot be addressed by quasi-gestrophic models. The first model is governed by primitive equations, but constrained to be barotropic. Finite difference solutions for the case of sidewalls which transition smoothly to zero depth through a "continental shelf" will be compared to the standard case of vertical sidewalls. The second model will also incorporate sloping sidewalls, but will be stratified. Vertical modes will be used to avoid numerical difficulties where layer interfaces intersect the boundaries. The results will clarify dynamical processes controlling wind driven flow in numerical general circulation models.
