This visualization (click for ultra high resolution version) demonstrates coupling of ocean models using MOAB. A coarse whole global ocean model, using polygonal elements (hexagons extruded in depth dimension), is characterized by the MPAS modeling and simulation application. A handful of much higher resolution regional models (using structured ijk hexahedral meshes), outlined in red, are characterized by the ROMS modeling and simulation application. Some insets represent critical regions of open ocean while others represent inland water bodies such as the Chesapeake bay. Both MPAS and ROMS use MOAB to store and manage the data and, in particular, to also handle coupling between the global and regional models.

NOTE: Clicking on any of the images below should bring up a larger resolution version.

The global ocean visualization, above, involves a number different MOAB data sources and plots thereof together with the Threshold operator set to display different features of interest. Then, these multiple plots were layered, somewhat tediously, as concentric, spherical shells using the Transform operator with various cmocean color maps applied. This helps to provide context for individual inset regions depicted in greater detail below.

The individual inset regions are visualized, below, in full three dimensional glory below; both the MPAS global model and the ROMS, high resolution regional model are overlayed. At the 2D ocean surface, there are about 25 ROM hexahedral elements to each MPAS extruded hexagonal element. In both models, the elements extend in the depth dimension somewhat coincidentally. An interesting aspect to both models is how they conform to the ocean floor by controlling extrusion (MPAS) and layering (ROMS) in the depth dimension.

Another example of an inset region comparing the MPAS and ROMS meshes.

Credits

Image	Image(s) courtesy of Vijay Mahadevan and Iulian Grindeanu
Data	Data courtesy of SEAHORCE (BER-SciDAC) and E3SM projects

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