Thetis-SWAN: A Python-interfaced wave-current interactions coupled system

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Wave–Current Interactions (WCI) emerge in nearshore coastal areas, prompting the development of coupled modelling systems to simulate these phenomena. We present a new multi-scale parallelised Python-interfaced WCI coupled system adopting a component-based approach enabling model-component integration without inhibiting their respective development. The underlying principles emphasise model equitability, flexibility and language interoperability. The hybrid model comprises the spectral wave model SWAN and the 2-D shallow-water equation model, Thetis. The coupling is performed through the Basic Model Interface. The coupled WCI model is the first to employ a Python interface, while maintaining the efficiency of different lower-level compiled programming languages, Fortran for SWAN and C for Thetis. We discuss the system implementation, architecture, and underlying physics considered. The coastal waters of Duck, NC, serve as a practical demonstration in simulating WCI. We then elaborate on the rationale for the coupled system design to inform the development of coupled modelling frameworks for environmental systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106034
JournalEnvironmental Modelling and Software
Volume177
Early online date6 Apr 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Coupled model
  • FORTRAN to Python package
  • Shallow-water equation modelling
  • Spectral wave modelling
  • Wave–current interactions

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