Application of collected data
Presentations at the DBCP Technical Workshop
Chennai, India, 18-19 October 2004

Theme 1: Applications / Research

Role of moored buoy data in wave modelling for the north Indian Ocean
P Vethamony, K Sudeesh, Rupali P, MT Babu, S Jayakumar, (National Institute of Oceanography, Goa)

ABSTRACT:

The lack of adequate reliable wind and wave data has long been recognized as a major limiting factor to several marine activities. This problem has been overcome by the deployment of moored data buoys at select shallow and deepwater locations for longer periods in the north Indian Ocean. We have used wind and wave data obtained from nearly all the buoys for the period 1999-2001 (May-August / September) to compare with model results as well as altimeter derived wave parameters. 

NCMRWF (National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, N. Delhi) analyzed winds assimilated with MSMR (Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer) winds have been used as input to MIKE21-OSW (Offshore Spectral Wave) model. It is a fully spectral wind-wave model, which describes the growth, decay and transformation of wind-generated waves in offshore areas as well as coastal areas. The model takes into account wind induced wave growth, non-linear wave-wave interaction, wave breaking, bottom friction and wave refraction.

An experiment has been conducted to find out improvement in wave prediction when accurate winds are used in the wave model and accurate waves are used for model validation / comparison. The comparison was applied to a number of regions around India, and establishes bounds of confidence for model predictions for those locations. The analysis also looks at the impact of seasonal variations during monsoon months.