A discrete global grid system for earth system modeling

Abstract

To support Earth system modeling, we propose a discrete global grid system that expresses multi-resolution spatial data. Specifically, a unified coding model that expresses a grid of nodes, edges, and cells is constructed for a triangular discrete global grid system. To fulfill the requirements of practical applications, we design a code-based topological query method for this grid system and an algorithm to transform between grid codes and geographic coordinates. We evaluate the Global Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (Global-FVCOM) on the triangular discrete global grid system in the proposed uniform coding model. The ocean tidal waves simulated by the Global-FVCOM running on the coded grid are then compared with results obtained using a traditional irregular spherical grid system, and the results display comparable accuracy. The uniform coding model proposed in this paper provides a triangular discrete global grid system that can represent multi-resolution spatial data and can be used in Earth system models. This unified coding model can also be applied to the geographic coordinate system made up of latitudes and longitudes, as well as diamond and hexagonal grids.