DOME is an international study group aimed at comparing the performance of a
number
of state-of-the-art-ocean models in representing these processes, at
quantifying model performance and identifying areas for
improvement in individual models. These models include HIM, POM, MOM, MICOM, MOMBLE, SPEM, SCRUM, ROMS, POSEIDON, OPA, etc.
The original idea for some kind of comparison project to address
overflow related issues was conceived in discussions between Robert Hallberg,
Peter Killworth and James Stephens. This idea rapidly grew into what is now
the DOME project.
DOME has already
attracted a great deal of interest, at this stage mostly from the large-scale
numerical modeling community.
Comparisons are taking place
between isopycnal, geopotential and sigma coordinate models within the
following, quasi-chronological framework of tests:
The components of each of the tests are designed to
be conducted in house by each of the participating groups.
This will enable open participation in DOME now and in future years
by the whole scientific community. All the relevant information
pertaining to the configuration of the tests, quantitative
performance measures etc., is being continually added to
a rapidly growing
technical report.
In the case of the idealized overflow, we
intend to conduct a series of tests for each model utilizing different
horizontal and vertical resolutions, stratifications, slopes etc.
This will clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of individual models
in a framework which will minimize model to model differences and
enable meaningful quantitative comparisons to be made.