Supercomputer Builds 3D Model Of Gulf Oil Spill

[Trillo]

Source: InformationWeek

Simulations run at the University of Texas are helping researchers adapt the Advanced Circulation Model to map a trajectory of the Deepwater Horizon spill.

By Elizabeth Montalbano
InformationWeek
May 28, 2010 11:42 AM

The National Science Foundation has freed up 1 million computer hours on a supercomputer at the Texas Advanced Computing Center at the University of Texas in Austin to create simulations for a 3-D model to help predict the trajectory of the Gulf oil spill.

Two researchers at the university -- Clinton Dawson and Gordon Wells -- are working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Pollution Surveillance team to help forecast the spill's movement and location, Wells said in an interview.

Specifically, researchers are adapting a model developed in the 1980s to map hurricane storm surges, called the Advanced Circulation Model, to track the spill in the Gulf. It's the first time the model has been used in this way, Wells, a research associate, said in an interview.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina and Notre Dame University -- where the creator of the Advanced Circulation Model, Joannes Westerink, is a professor -- also are taking part in the effort.

Read more: http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/cloud-saas/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=225200549&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_News

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Looks like experts are working on this.

[WestSeattle2]

1. Geeks rule! n/t

[Canuckistanian]

2. It wouldn't have to be so "3D" if they didn't use those dispersants

Now there are massive "plumes" floating around beneath the surface that need to be tracked, vastly complicating the job of predicting environmental disasters.

[CatholicEdHead]

3. BOINC would be another good outlet for this

If they want multiple simulations done in a timely fashion.

[defendandprotect]

4. k