FVCOM

Finite Volume Community Ocean Model

The Unstructured Grid Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) simulates ocean circulation and ecosystem dynamics from estuary to global scales. It is capable of capturing estuary wetting and drying effects, steep bathymetry effects, sediment transport and water quality.

Developer
MEDMlab
Model Information
For more information about this model, go to fvcom.smast.umassd.edu
Spatial Resolution
Spatial grid is unstructured, has a triangular shape and a flexible grid size. Model calculations are executed on the 3D grid. Grid uses cartesian or spherical coordinates and sigma coordinates shifted to generalized terrain following in the vertical coordinate dimension.
Temporal Resolution
The temporal resolution is variable and user defined. Smaller time steps are required for convergence in some instances and are on the order of seconds to days.
Outputs
Outputs include wave parameters when coupled with SWAN. If add-on components are used water quality predictions are also generated.
Intended User
practitioner
Model Type
coastal
Inclusion of Climate Change
Climate parameters can be included through manual adjustment of input parameters.
Geographic Region
coast
Data Requirements
data provided by the user
Source Code Availability
limited
Dimensions
3d
Computational Burden
high
Scenario Modeling
batch mode likely
Coding Language
FORTRAN
Operating System
not applicable
Mathematical Approach
numerical
Maintenance Plan
maintained
Date of Last Known Update
not available
User Manual
go to documentation at fvcom.smast.umassd.edu