Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-698
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-698
24 Apr 2025
 | 24 Apr 2025

Numerical simulations of ocean surface waves along the Australian coast with a focus on the Great Barrier Reef

Xianghui Dong, Qingxiang Liu, Stefan Zieger, Alberto Alberello, Ali Abdolali, Jian Sun, Kejian Wu, and Alexander V. Babanin

Abstract. Numerical simulations of ocean surface waves along the Australian coasts are performed with the spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III (WW3) and the state-of-the-art physics and numerics. A large-scale, high-resolution (1–15 km) unstructured mesh is designed for better resolving the extensive Australian coastline. Based on verification against altimeter and buoy observations, it is found that the WW3 simulations, with observation-based source term package (i.e., ST6) and other relevant physical processes, perform reasonably well in predicting wave heights and periods in most regions. Nonetheless, the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) represents a challenging region for the wave model, in which wave heights are severely overestimated because most of individual coral reefs and their strong dissipative effects could not be resolved by the local mesh. A two-step modeling strategy is proposed here to address this problem. First, individual coral reefs are regarded as unresolved obstacles and thus complete barriers to wave energy. Second, we adopt the unresolved obstacles source term proposed recently to parameterize the dissipative impact of these subgrid coral reefs. It is then demonstrated that this subgrid-scale reef parameterization enhances the model performance in the GBR dramatically, reducing the wave height bias from above 100 % to below 20 %. The source term balance and the sensitivity of model results to the grid resolution around the GBR are also discussed, illustrating the applicability of this two-step strategy to km-scale wave simulations.

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Xianghui Dong, Qingxiang Liu, Stefan Zieger, Alberto Alberello, Ali Abdolali, Jian Sun, Kejian Wu, and Alexander V. Babanin

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-698', Anonymous Referee #1, 09 Jun 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Qingxiang Liu, 21 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-698', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Jun 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Qingxiang Liu, 21 Jun 2025

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-698', Anonymous Referee #1, 09 Jun 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Qingxiang Liu, 21 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-698', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Jun 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Qingxiang Liu, 21 Jun 2025
Xianghui Dong, Qingxiang Liu, Stefan Zieger, Alberto Alberello, Ali Abdolali, Jian Sun, Kejian Wu, and Alexander V. Babanin
Xianghui Dong, Qingxiang Liu, Stefan Zieger, Alberto Alberello, Ali Abdolali, Jian Sun, Kejian Wu, and Alexander V. Babanin

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Short summary
Ocean surface wave research is vital for coastal management, marine ecology, and ocean engineering. This study simulates waves along the Australian coast using advanced physical and numerical schemes. Model verification with altimeter and buoy data shows good performance. A two-step parameterization improves accuracy in the complex Great Barrier Reef. This study will help us better understand coastal wave climates and assess sea states, enabling us to better develop, protect, and use the sea.
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