Simulation of Typhoon Bolaven using Integrally Coupled Tide-Surge-Wave Models based on locally Enhanced Fine-Mesh Unstructured Grid System

The integrally coupled wave-tide-surge models based on hydrodynamic and spectral wave models with an unstructured mesh system were tested in the typhoon Bolaven, which hit the Korean Peninsula in 2012 and caused the deaths of 19 victims. The identical and homogeneous mesh allows the physics of wave-circulation interactions to be correctly resolved in both models. The unstructured mesh can be applied to a large domain allowing all energy from deep to shallow waters to be seamlessly followed. The model results were compared with the observations, and the model performance was evaluated. The results show that it is important to incorporate the wave-current interaction effect into coastal areas in the wave-tide-surge coupled model. The model should consider effects of depth-induced wave breaking, wind field, currents and sea surface elevation in the prediction of waves. The resulting modeling system can be used for hindcasting (prediction) and forecasting the wave-tide-surge coupled environments at complex coastlines, shallow water and fine sediment areas, such as around the Korean Peninsula.