Numerical Modeling of Sea Level Oscillations in the Caspian Sea

I. P. Medvedev, E. A. Kulikov, I. V. Fine, and A. E. Kulikov

The object of the present study is mesoscale sea level oscillations in the Caspian Sea being the largest inland water body on the Earth. The main forces inducing sea level oscillations in this frequency range are variations in air pressure, wind stress, and tidal potential. These factors form a wide range of the Caspian Sea level variability including storm surges, seiches, and tides. To investigate the features of these oscillations, the POM (Princeton Ocean Model) numerical model was adapted to the Caspian Sea conditions. The tide-generating force in the equations of motion was specified through the tidal potential gradients over the Caspian Sea area. NCEP/CFSR reanalysis data are used to calculate meteorological impacts on the sea surface (wind stress and air pressure). The numerical model simulates well the statistical characteristics of mesoscale sea level variability in the Caspian Sea including seiches and tides.