Numerical modeling of ocean swell contributions to the global wind-wave climate

A new technique for studying the contribution of ocean swell to the global wind-wave climate is proposed, on the basis of numerical simulations of wind-wave evolution. In this technique, waves are generated by winds that are kept active only in selected oceanic areas and switched off over the rest of the global ocean domain. In this way, swells are generated only in selected areas and are propagated freely elsewhere. A preliminary analysis of the major patterns associated with swells generated within a selection of generation areas is presented, providing new insights on the properties of swell propagation. Results support the validity of the technique for the purposes of wind-wave climate studies on a global scale. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.