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M2: Systematic Multi-Scale Modelling and Analysis for Geophysical Flows

Principal investigators: Prof. Jörn Behrens (Universität Hamburg), Prof. Jens Rademacher (MARUM/University of Bremen)

M2 aims at systematically deriving new numerical and stochastic methods for the energyconsistent representation of subgrid-scale processes of geophysical flows. We will systematically develop two new approaches for energy-consistent subgrid-scale parameterizations. One approach is stochastic, while the second is a multi-scale finite element approach, which can also include stochastic elements. While we have in mind two concrete complex models, ICON and FESOM, our methods will be general enough for use in other Earth System Models too.

Our research in M2 aims at developing new methods: We ask whether the newly developed methods are capable of providing some generic form of consistency and conservation. Our major aim is to provide methods for energy-consistent parameterizations to reduce the need for tuning. 
M2 complements the approaches of M1 & M7 which use asymptotic, analytic and dynamical systems approaches within certain scale ranges. Our work packages focus, on the one hand, on questions of scale separation and scale interaction necessitated by the existence of a numerical subgrid in practical simulations of geophysical flows and climate. In particular, M2 aims at systematically developing accurate, conservative, and consistent subgrid parameterizations. By conservative, we mean that conservation properties across scales are discretely preserved. By consistent, we refer to mathematical consistency, while energetic consistency can also refer to the use of a subgrid-scale energy model which determines the amount of energy to backscatter. On the other hand, we also systematically investigate the effect of noise on balanced and unbalanced motions and also on the persistence of nonlinear waves and generation of gravity waves.

The composition of project personnel sees the following changes. C. Franzke will continue his successful work on stochastic backscatter as a project postdoc, extending the work toward looking at the mathematical structure in close collaboration with PL Rademacher, and also with former PL Oliver who will contribute his experience from first-phase work on variational methods to be applied in the context of conservation laws for stochastic subgrid models and with the AWI-FESOM group (M3/S2) regarding implementation and testing in a full primitive-equation ocean model. New PL Behrens from UHH-CEN joins M2, bringing in his expertise in numerical multi-scale methods. M. Oliver will continue to collaborate in particular through subproject M3 and serve as a co-advisor for the doctoral researcher.

We combine methods from formal asymptotics, mathematical analysis, dynamical systems, and stochastic analysis. Our primary focus lies on understanding phenomena and mechanisms – we believe that a better understanding of the nonlinear interactions between scales, waves and the flow regimes will be essential in evaluating and improving numerical weather and climate prediction models. Only in the nonlinear regime can we develop energy consistent schemes. Here we will approach this problem from 3 different directions:

  1. variational balanced model reduction,
  2. a dynamical systems approach of nonlinear waves and balance conditions and
  3. stochastic balanced model reduction.

While 1. and 3. will concentrate on foundational aspects of the problem, 2. will already check its validity using the ICON model in idealised set-ups.

Mean systematic error of 500 hPa geopotential height fields (shading) for extended boreal winters (December–March) of the period 1962–2005. Errors are defined with regard to the observed mean field (contours), consisting of a combination of ERA-40 (1962–2001), and operational ECMWF analyses (2002–2005). (a) Systematic error in a numerical simulation with the ECMWF model IFS, version CY32R1, run at a horizontal resolution of T L 95 (about 210 km) and 91 vertical levels. (b) Systematic error in a simulation with a stochastic kinetic-energy backscatter scheme. Significant differences at the 95% confidence level based on a Student’s t -test are hatched (Franzke et al. 2015).

Work package 1: Variational model reduction

The purpose of this work package is to look at balance and, more generally, multiscale phenomena, addressing the following questions.

  • How do concepts of balance persist if the analysis is based directly upon the full set of equations of motion that form the dynamical core of global ocean or atmospheric models?
  • How can we transition from one asymptotic regime to another while maintaining uniform validity of the balance relation?

The first question aims at the classical derivation of balance models via a succession of approximations, e.g. Boussinesq, hydrostatic, thin-layer, and small pressure gradient approximations lead to quasi-geostrophic models.

To answer the second question, common techniques in perturbation analysis involve matched asymptotic expansions. This is not very likely to be practical except for toy situations. Our work will therefore go into two extreme directions. First, when using balance relations as a pure diagnostic, active matching is not required, so the remaining difficulty is detecting the regime switch. At the other end of the scale, we propose to look into variational approaches where the matching is intrinsic to the geometric construction. An important advantage of variational asymptotics is the natural preservation of conservation laws for energy, momentum, and vorticity in the limit.

Work package 2: Equatorial quasi-geostrophic balances, dissipation and nonlinear waves

In this work package we propose to study nonlinear waves and bifurcations associated with the linear wave modes in equatorial quasi-geostrophic balance and adjustment, including energetically consistent dissipation parameterisations. Based on the recent progress in studying inviscid and (molecularly) viscous nonlinear waves, new approaches to quasi-geostrophic balance will be used to derived reduced models and study the wave phenomena therein. Dissipation modelling and parametrisation towards energy consistency will be included.

Aiming at mathematical rigour, we will build upon a combination of asymptotic analysis and bifurcation based numerical approaches. Mathematical well-posedness will be addressed, and nonlinear solutions will be numerically tracked by numerical path-following and bifurcation analysis. Starting with simple single layer problems in one-dimensional extended domains we will work towards higher space dimension, stratification and spherical geometry.

Work package 3: Stochastic model reduction

In this work package we will use asymptotic multi-scale models to systematically derive effective dynamic-stochastic models for the resolved scales. These model hierarchies will provide a framework for the systematic treatment of the interaction between different flow regimes and representation of unresolved scales in numerical models and will constitute a systematic framework for stochastic parameterisations. In this setting, fast synoptic- and meso-scale interactions will be systematically represented by a stochastic Ansatz.

While the full unforced and inviscid equations conserve energy and momentum, this is not necessarily the case for the truncated systems. There will be energy, enstrophy and momentum transfers between the resolved and unresolved scales. Most current deterministic parameterisation schemes do not reinject energy into the resolved scales, instead they are effectively an energy drain. Similarly, current stochastic parameterisations are operated mainly ad hoc without consideration of energy and momentum consistency. This likely contributes to the significant observed model bias.

While it is possible to derive energy conserving reduced stochastic models for some systems, here we will focus on conservation in an ensemble sense so that energy and momentum fluctuate around a mean value in individual model simulations. In the real atmosphere and ocean, energy would flow between the scales we can resolve and the ones we cannot. So in reduced order or truncated systems—climate models are clearly in this category—the energy should fluctuate around a mean value.
 

Main results from the first phase of the CRC

  • Development of systematic energy-consistent stochastic and deterministic backscatter schemes for the atmosphere
  • Development of variational balance model with full Coriolis term
  • Identification of several non-linear wave phenomena

Systematic Stochastic Kinetic Backscatter Schemes (copy 1)

  •  Development of energy consistent kinetic backscatter schemes for 
    • Primitive equation model (Portable University Model of the Atmosphere (PUMA):
      Published in Dwivedi, S., C. Franzke and F. Lunkeit, 2019: Energetically Consistent Stochastic and Deterministic Kinetic Energy Backscatter Schemes for Atmospheric Models. Q. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 145, 3376-3386.
    • 2-layer QG model:
      Published in Gugole, F. and C. Franzke, 2019: Numerical Development and Evaluation of an Energy Conserving Conceptual Stochastic Climate Model. Math. Clim. Weather Forecast., 5, 45-64.
  • Noise covariance modelling using Koopman Operator and Dynamic Mode Decomposition

Explicit internal waves and flows in nonlinear fluid models (copy 1)

  • New explicit wave-type solutions in various fluid models in the whole space
  • Existence for adapted forcing via linear variation of constants in the nonlinear equations
  • Specific case: rotating shallow water equations with simple backscatter (cf. Figure)
    • energy can accumulate in exponentially growing solutions due to backscatter
    • linear combinations as explicit solutions imply instability of some stationary waves
Planar wave-vector space for selected parameter sets. Red: growing linear modes, blue decaying. White: existence of solutions to nonlinear model, which are stationary at white dots. All waves with same wave-vector direction co-exist for any linear combination in nonlinear model. Left panel: up to symmetry either 1 unboundedly growing, or 1 decaying and possibly 1 stationary explicit nonlinear wave coexist. Right panel: In contrast to Left panel, here an unboundedly growing solution co-exists with stationary and decaying solution for selected directions. [Preprint on ArXiv]

Variational Balance model with full Coriolis force (copy 1)

  • Variational balance model with full Coriolis force is derived.
  • Validity of variational principle for anisotropic scaling to equatorial long-wave dynamics is in progress.

November 2016

Dr. Terence O'Kane (CSIRO Australia)

Dr. Terence O‘Kane from CSIRO Atmospheres and Ocean, Hobart, Australia, is an expert on stochastic subgrid modeling, coupled data assimilation, predictability, turbulence, geophysical fluid dynamics and advanced time series analysis. He has pionered subgrid modeling using statistical physics methods. His research is very relevant to project M2 but also projects M3 and M4.

As part of his visit he gave a TRR seminar entitled „Statistical Dynamical Subgrid Scale Parameterisation“. First he introduced the overall methodology and then he showed how this approach can be employed to atmospheric as well as ocean models with very good results. His seminar spark a lot of interest and subsequently Terry had many meetings with other TRR scientists but also non-TRR scientists from the Universität Hamburg and the Max-Planck-Institute.

Furthermore, we discussed energy consistent subgrid modeling and stochastic modeling approaches which are of particular importance to project M2. We started a joint project in which we will examine how stochastic subgrid scale parameterizations will affect coupled data assimilation and predictability.

We also finalized a book we are together editing on „Nonlinear and Stochastic Climate Dynamics“ to be published by Cambridge University Press later this year.

written by Dr. Christian Franzke

July 2016

Prof. Edgar Knobloch (UC Berkeley)

Prof. Edgar Knobloch from UC Berkeley visited Jens Rademacher in Bremen to discuss the M2 project related questions. An expert in nonlinear fluid phenomena, multiscale analysis and modelling, Prof. Knobloch’s work is very relevant for the M2 area in general and project M2-2 in particular. His work on the influence of viscosity, scaling regimes and models in geophysical flow directly overlaps with the projects’ fundamental questions. Inviscid models fail to accont for the sometimes profound effect that viscous layers have on the bulk flow. Moreover, the energy flow through scales ultimately requires viscous dissipation and suitable driving. During the visit also the question of the role of nonlinear waves in the enery flow were discussed and it seems that many questions remain open at this point. This is especially true in the context of geostrophic balance.

Combining the multi-scale finite element with stochastic  subgrid informations

I defined my PhD reaserch project within the goal  to  combine Multi scale numerics with stochastic subgrid informations.

Mouhanned Gabsi, PhD M2

My name is Mouhanned Gabsi and I work as a PhD student at the  University of Hamburg under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Jörn Behrens   (University of Hamburg). I am part of the TRR subproject M2:   Systematic Multi-Scale Modelling and Analysis for Geophysical Flows.   M2 aims at systematically deriving new numerical and stochastic  methods for the energyconsistent representation of subgrid-scale  processes of geophysical flows. Beginning with a bit about myself, I got a bachelor degree in  Mathematics and Applications at the University of Monastir (Tunisia),   after that I persued a Master degree in Applied Analysis and  Mathematical Physics at the University of Toulon (France) that I  acquired with an internship of 6 months at the University of Paris  Saclay under the supervision of Danielle Hilhorst and Ludovic  Goudenège. The goal was to present numerical studies of iterative  coupling for solving flow and geomechanics  in a porous Medium. I started my work as part of TRR in April 2021. At the beginning, I  spent more time in literature and reading papers to dicover the new  environment that I am working on. Within this, I started to understand new scientific terms, phenomena and mechanisms related to Oceans, Atmosphere and Climate models and I found  RTG course that I took in  Mathematics, Oceanography, Meteorology and TRR meeting  very helpful  to me to acquire new knowledge and skills. After that, I defined my PhD reaserch project within the goal  to  combine Multi scale numerics with stochastic subgrid informations.   Multi-scale numerical methods will address the research questions by  providing a framework for coupling small-scale processes to the  large-scale. Subgrid-scale parametrization is the mathematical procedure describing  the statistical effect of sub-grid- scale processes on the mean flow  that is expressed in terms of the resolved-scale parameters. In global  atmospheric models, the range of processes which have to be  parametrized is large and the characteristics of the different  parametrized processes vary, e.g., atmospheric convection, gravity wave drag,   vertical diffusion. The resolvedand the subgrid-scale processes in the Earth's atmosphere are the  response to mechanical andthermal forcing, associated with the distribution of solar incoming radiation, topography, continents and oceans. There are several methods to improve the process of transferring  information from the subgrid-scale to the coarse grid in a  mathematically consistent way such as numerical multi-scale methods  which are based on homogenization or the multi-scale finite element  approach. This method is well established in porous media. The second  method is stochastic, and in particular stochastic parametrization  exploit the time scale difference between the slow resolved scale and  the fast-unresolved scale to model the latter with random noise terms.   This has many advantages such gain in computational timecompared to higher resolved simulations, reduction of model errors and  systematic representation of uncertainties. A first task is to combine  these two methods and to see  if this combination inherently address conservation properties, or  it pose an unnecessary overhead. 

Subgrid-scale processes of geophysical flows using machine learning

I am working on applying machine learning tasks such as image super resolution to geophysical data.

Dr. Rüdiger Brecht, Post-Doc M2 

I am a postdoc at Universität Bremen and I work on new sub-grid methods as part of the project M2. My research focuses on applying machine learning algorithms to geophysical fluid dynamics. Moreover, I organize the TRR Machine Learning Seminar, which takes place Tuesdays at 13:00 (everyone is welcome to join). Here, experts and newcomers meet to discuss project ideas or research results related to machine learning.  

When a numerical simulation or data for a numerical simulation does not resolve the full dynamical scales, we need to simulate these missing dynamics. Unlike landscape or face pictures, geophysical data follows self-similarity such that learning the unresolved dynamics from data is a reasonable task. Especially for geophysical flow simulations an enormous amount of data has been stored in the last decades. Moreover, machine learning performs well when there is enough data available. Thus, I am working on applying machine learning tasks such as image super resolution to geophysical data.   

Last year, I completed my PhD at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. For my thesis, I used the shallow water equations to develop structure preserving discretization methods and a stochastic sub-grid model for efficient ensemble forecasting.