Reality Check for Red Sea Wave Predictions

Current models for predicting ocean surface conditions in the Red Sea, such as WAVEWATCH III, have been shown to overestimate wave patterns, particularly in the Red Sea's convergence zone. This challenge arises due to the region's unique geography, with its long, narrow shape and mountain ranges that create a wind tunnel effect.

Ibrahim Hoteit, from KAUST's Physical Science and Engineering Division, explains, “This makes the local conditions extremely sensitive to even minor changes in the direction of the driving wind fields.” The convergence zone, where opposing winds meet, produces complex wave patterns, which current models have struggled to represent accurately.

A team from KAUST and the Institute of Marine Sciences in Italy conducted a study comparing predictions from the model with real-world data. They found that the model tended to overestimate wave conditions, especially in the convergence zone, and improved the model's equations to provide a more accurate simulation.

“Precise knowledge of sea-state information and its climatology would be highly beneficial to marine activities,” noted Sabique Langodan, KAUST Ph.D. student. This research offers significant improvements to wave modeling in the Red Sea, and the team is now investigating how these patterns have changed over time and assessing the region's potential as a renewable energy source.

🔗 Read more on KAUST Discovery 

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