GNOME: Oil Spill Modeling Lab
Part 1 Question:
1. Does the spill you modeled agree with the local account of the actual Santa Barbara oil spill (below)? List some similarities and differences between the model and the observations of the actual spill.
~ Yes, the modeled oil spill was very similar on estimating where the Santa Barbara oil spill will be at.
1. Does the spill you modeled agree with the local account of the actual Santa Barbara oil spill (below)? List some similarities and differences between the model and the observations of the actual spill.
~ Yes, the modeled oil spill was very similar on estimating where the Santa Barbara oil spill will be at.
- Similarities:
- Both model and reality had the oil come ashore.
- Both model and reality had some similar wind direction.
- Differences:
- It wasn't really accurate in all of the wind direction estimation for the model.
- The model wasn't accurate in the time when the oil came ashore.
Part 2: What if the spill happened today?
Disaster! There has been an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara.
Part 2 Questions:
1. Describe some of the differences between the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and this hypothetical spill.
~ In Santa Barbara the oil spill pushed the oil to the coast, harbor, and the beaches. Hypothetical oil spill was similar to the Santa Barbara oil spill, but it went west instead.
2. Where did the oil make landfall after the first day? How about the second and third days? You can indicate on the map on the next page:
1. Describe some of the differences between the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and this hypothetical spill.
~ In Santa Barbara the oil spill pushed the oil to the coast, harbor, and the beaches. Hypothetical oil spill was similar to the Santa Barbara oil spill, but it went west instead.
2. Where did the oil make landfall after the first day? How about the second and third days? You can indicate on the map on the next page:
Part 2 Question 2 Answer (Pictures):
3. As a NOAA Oceanographer, where would you recommend the 10 miles of booms stored at Santa Barbara be deployed? Where would you send the extra resources from LA; a day's drive away?
~ The booms should be deployed near Santa Barbara on the first and second day. On the third day the extra resources should be sent to west of Santa Barbara.
~ The booms should be deployed near Santa Barbara on the first and second day. On the third day the extra resources should be sent to west of Santa Barbara.
Part 3:
1. What are some important variables in the model? Why are they important? Which do you think are the most important variables that determine where the oil will end up?
~ The important variables are the ocean, wind currents, weather, and wind speed direction. I think that the most important variable is the wind current and the direction of where the wind is moving towards.
2. What kind of things changed when you made changes to the wind speed and direction? What happened when you changed the current?
~ When you change the wind speed and direction it changed where it spread to or how it moves.
3. The Channel Islands contain a delicate marine ecosystem. What kind conditions would threaten the Channel Islands if there was an oil spill in Santa Barbara channel?
~ If there were oil spills in Santa Barbara channel, then there would be a lot of impact on the marine animals and us. Many marine animals can be infected, get ill, or even die if there is an oil spill in Santa Barbara Channel.
4. Although this model was actually used by NOAA, it is several years old. Newer versions take several other factors into account. Can you think about other things that may affect how oil moves around that aren't modeled in this stimulation and would improve the accuracy of the model?
~ Other things that may help improve the accuracy of other models can be ocean wave currents, high/low ocean tides, and information on what type of marine animals live close on shore in the location.
~ The important variables are the ocean, wind currents, weather, and wind speed direction. I think that the most important variable is the wind current and the direction of where the wind is moving towards.
2. What kind of things changed when you made changes to the wind speed and direction? What happened when you changed the current?
~ When you change the wind speed and direction it changed where it spread to or how it moves.
3. The Channel Islands contain a delicate marine ecosystem. What kind conditions would threaten the Channel Islands if there was an oil spill in Santa Barbara channel?
~ If there were oil spills in Santa Barbara channel, then there would be a lot of impact on the marine animals and us. Many marine animals can be infected, get ill, or even die if there is an oil spill in Santa Barbara Channel.
4. Although this model was actually used by NOAA, it is several years old. Newer versions take several other factors into account. Can you think about other things that may affect how oil moves around that aren't modeled in this stimulation and would improve the accuracy of the model?
~ Other things that may help improve the accuracy of other models can be ocean wave currents, high/low ocean tides, and information on what type of marine animals live close on shore in the location.