Ocean model resolution dependence of Caribbean sea-level projections
van Westen, R.M.; Dijkstra, H.A.; van der Boog, C.G.; Katsman, C.A.; James, R.K.; Bouma, T.J.; Kleptsova, O.; Klees, R.; Riva, R.E.M.; Slobbe, D.C.; Zijlema, M.; Pietrzak, J.D. (2020). Ocean model resolution dependence of Caribbean sea-level projections. NPG Scientific Reports 10(1): 11 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71563-0 In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more |   |
| Authors | | Top | - van Westen, R.M.
- Dijkstra, H.A.
- van der Boog, C.G.
- Katsman, C.A.
| - James, R.K., more
- Bouma, T.J., more
- Kleptsova, O.
- Klees, R.
| - Riva, R.E.M.
- Slobbe, D.C.
- Zijlema, M.
- Pietrzak, J.D.
|
| Abstract | Sea-level rise poses severe threats to coastal and low-lying regions around the world, by exacerbating coastal erosion and flooding. Adequate sea-level projections over the next decades are important for both decision making and for the development of successful adaptation strategies in these coastal and low-lying regions to climate change. Ocean components of climate models used in the most recent sea-level projections do not explicitly resolve ocean mesoscale processes. Only a few effects of these mesoscale processes are represented in these models, which leads to errors in the simulated properties of the ocean circulation that affect sea-level projections. Using the Caribbean Sea as an example region, we demonstrate a strong dependence of future sea-level change on ocean model resolution in simulations with a global climate model. The results indicate that, at least for the Caribbean Sea, adequate regional projections of sea-level change can only be obtained with ocean models which capture mesoscale processes. |
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