Model:GeoClaw

GeoClaw

This code has been community reviewed and published in the open access Journal of Open Source Software (JOSS)

Also known as	Clawpack
Model type	Single
Model part of larger framework
Note on status model
Date note status model

Incorporated models or components:

Spatial dimensions	1D, 2D
Spatial extent	Continental, Global, Landscape-Scale, Patch-Scale, Reach-Scale, Regional-Scale, Watershed-Scale
Model domain	Terrestrial, Coastal
One-line model description	Depth-averaged fluid dynamics for modeling geophysical flows and wave propagation
Extended model description	Originally developed for modeling tsunami generation, propagation, and inundation. Also used for storm surge modeling and overland flooding (e.g. dam break problems). Uses adaptive mesh refinement to allow much greater spatial resolutions in some regions than others, and to automatically follow dynamic evolution of waves or floods. Uses high-resolution finite volume methods that robustly handle wetting and drying. The package also includes tools for working with geophysical data including topography DEMs, earthquake source models for tsunami generation, and observed gauge data. The simulation code is in Fortran with OpenMP for shared memory parallelization, and Python for the user interface, visualization, and data tools.

Keywords:	Shallow-water model, Tsunami, storm wave,

Name	Randall LeVeque
Type of contact	Model developer
Institute / Organization	University of Washington
Postal address 1	Applied Mathematics Dept, Univ. of Washington
Postal address 2	Box 353925 University of Washington
Town / City	Seattle
Postal code	98195-3925
State	Washington
Country	United States
Email address	rjl@uw.edu
Phone	206-685-3037
Fax

Supported platforms	Unix, Linux, Mac OS
Other platform
Programming language	Fortran77, Fortran90, Python
Other program language
Code optimized	Multiple Processors
Multiple processors implemented	Shared memory
Nr of distributed processors
Nr of shared processors
Start year development	1994
Does model development still take place?	Yes
If above answer is no, provide end year model development
Code development status	Active
When did you indicate the 'code development status'?	2020
Model availability	As code, As teaching tool
Source code availability (Or provide future intension)	Through web repository
Source web address	http://www.clawpack.org/installing.html
Source csdms web address
Program license type	BSD or MIT X11
Program license type other
Memory requirements
Typical run time	seconds to hours

Describe input parameters	http://www.clawpack.org/setrun_geoclaw.html http://www.clawpack.org/topo.html
Input format	ASCII
Other input format
Describe output parameters	Depth, momentum on adaptive grid at specified output times. Time series at specified gauge locations. Maxima observed over full simulation on specified grid.
Output format	ASCII, Binary
Other output format
Pre-processing software needed?	No
Describe pre-processing software
Post-processing software needed?	No
Describe post-processing software
Visualization software needed?	No
If above answer is yes
Other visualization software

Describe processes represented by the model	Two-dimensional depth-averaged flows, particularly suitable for tsunami and storm surge modeling, and has also bee used for dam breaks and flooding of river valleys.
Describe key physical parameters and equations	Nonlinear shallow water equations in conservation form are solved, with a Manning coefficient used to specify bottom friction. Coriolis terms can also be turned on. Multi-layer shallow water equations are also implemented. Equations can be solved in latitude-longitude coordinates on the sphere or in Cartesian coordinates, e.g. for limited-area or wave tank modeling. Wetting and drying algorithms handle inundation.
Describe length scale and resolution constraints	Adaptive refinement allows using a very coarse grid on the ocean scale (e.g. 2 degree resolution) and several nested levels of refinement down to e.g. 1/3 arc-second (10 meter) resolution in specific coastal regions.
Describe time scale and resolution constraints	Time steps are limited by CFL condition based on depth of fluid. Finer grids can automatically refine to use finer resolution in time than the underlying coarse grids.
Describe any numerical limitations and issues	Currently only shallow water equations are solved, using explicit finite volume methods. High order Boussinesq equations to better model dispersive waves (e.g. for short wavelength submarine landslide generated tsunamis) would require implicit time stepping and is still in the experimental phase.

Describe available calibration data sets
Upload calibration data sets if available:
Describe available test data sets	http://www.clawpack.org/gallery/gallery_geoclaw.html
Upload test data sets if available:
Describe ideal data for testing

Do you have current or future plans for collaborating with other researchers?	We welcome collaboration and have many on-going projects.

Is there a manual available?	Yes
Upload manual if available:
Model website if any	http://www.clawpack.org/
Model forum / discussion board	https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/claw-users http://www.clawpack.org/community.html

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Featured publication(s)	Year	Model described	Type of Reference	Citations
Berger, Marsha J.; George, David L.; LeVeque, Randall J.; Mandli, Kyle T.; 2011. The GeoClaw software for depth-averaged flows with adaptive refinement. Advances in Water Resources, 34, 1195–1206. 10.1016/j.advwatres.2011.02.016 (View/edit entry)	2011	GeoClaw	Model overview	249
See more publications of GeoClaw