AOMIP

The Arctic Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (AOMIP) is an international effort comparing different numerical models of the Arctic Ocean under realistic forcing. Goals are to examine the ability of Arctic Ocean models to simulate variability on seasonal to interannual scales, and to understand qualitatively and quantitatively the different behaviours of different Arctic Ocean models. In this way AOMIP participants seek to identify and to correct systematic errors.

Nine modeling groups participate in AOMIP:

Code Institution Country
AWI Alfred Wegener Institute Germany
GSFC Goddard Space Flight Center USA
IOS Institute of Ocean Sciences Canada
LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory USA
NPS Naval Postgraduate School USA
NYU New York University USA
RAS Russian Academy of Science Russia
UAF University of Alaska at Fairbanks USA
UW University of Washington USA

A list of detailed specifications for the models is available (in construction). Complete AOMIP project information can be found at the AOMIP home site.

Two tables compare how the different models represent the transport and distribution of Atlantic Water in the Arctic. The first table gives results at 500m depth. The second gives vertical sections near Fram Strait.

Click thumbnails (below) to enlarge. If your browser supports multiple windows, you might open more than one window to facilitate intercomparing.

Temperature Salinity Velocity

AWI1 at 440m Apr 1978

AWI2 398 & 537m Apr 1978

GSFC at 500m 1978 mean

IOS at 500m Apr 1978

LANL at 500m Apr 1978

NPS at 500m April 1979

NYU at 500m April

RAS at 500m April 1978

UAF at 500m April

UW at 500m Apr 1978

Temperature Salinity Velocity

AWI1

at 440m

Apr 1978

AWI2

398 & 537m

Apr 1978

GSFC

at 500m

1978 mean

IOS

at 500m

Apr 1978

LANL

at 500m

Apr 1978

NPS

at 500m

April 1979

NYU

at 500m

April

RAS

at 500m

April 1978

UAF

at 500m

April

UW

at 500m

Apr 1978

The figures below are crossections near Fram Strait

Temperature Salinity Velocity

AWI1 along X=9 E Apr 1978

AWI2 near Fram Strait Apr 1978

IOS along Y=-6 Apr 1978

LANL Fram Strait Apr 1978

NPS Fram Strait April 1979

NYU Fram Strait April

RAS Fram Strait Apr 1978

UAF Fram Strait April

UW Fram Strait Apr 1978

Temperature Salinity Velocity

AWI1

along X=9 E

Apr 1978

AWI2

near Fram Strait

Apr 1978

IOS

along Y=-6

Apr 1978

LANL

Fram Strait

Apr 1978

NPS

Fram Strait

April 1979

NYU

Fram Strait

April

RAS

Fram Strait

Apr 1978

UAF

Fram Strait

April

UW

Fram Strait

Apr 1978

Trying to understand the reasons for differences among the models is a huge, ongoing task by many investigators. One part of that overall effort is described on an accompanying page.

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation through the University of Alaska and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, PlanetWater helps support the role of IOS in AOMIP. Materials presented through this web page reflect IOS/PlanetWater participation.

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