Preliminary analysis of the coastal hydrodynamics around the Maltese islands, from high resolution numerical models

Abstract

The physical coastal hydrodynamics are driven by a number of external forces and can be partially observed as coastal currents, tidal currents, tides and storm surges. These can be studied through observations (in-situ, remote sensing, HFRs1, drifters), physical models such as small-scale modelling, and by utilising numerical models. The accuracy of the model’s prediction relies on its initial and boundary conditions, its key parameters and the numerical techniques it uses. An innovative high-resolution marine forecast model, ROSARIOSHYFEM, was developed by the Physical Oceanography Research Group (UoM) for the coastal and in-harbour waters around the Maltese Islands. Its resolution stems from the use of finite element techniques, which is well suited for the complex coastal structures as well as the bathymetry. It provides coastal data which is relevant to various stakeholders, as well as the opportunity to study the coastal dynamics which directly contribute to the anthropogenic and biological activity in the area. Besides this model, the main hydrodynamical shelf model, ROSARIO, was also chosen for this study. A preliminary analysis will be done on the model-generated coastal hydrodynamics around the Maltese Islands, including currents and temperatures (both sea surface and underlying), as well as circulation patterns, under different marine-meteo conditions.