Project Director: Haosheng Huang

Funding Organization: National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine: Gulf Research Program

Funding Cycles: Understanding Gulf Ocean Systems Grants 2

Description: Researchers will nest an unstructured grid Finite Volume Community Ocean Model — a type of 3D ocean model — within the Gulf of Mexico. They will use the model to simulate energy conversion processes and the interactions between Loop Current Frontal Eddies (LCFEs) and changes in ocean floor depth. The goal is to establish an ocean forecasting system for the Gulf that is capable of an accurate one-two weeks Loop Current forecast. In addition, the team will create a 20-year satellite data archive to detect and analyze LCFE merging events that occur before eddy detachments and separations.