Split-explicit external mode solver in finite volume sea ice ocean model FESOM2

Abstract: A novel split-explicit (SE) external mode solver for the Finite volumE Sea ice-Ocean Model (FESOM2) is presented. It is compared with the semi-implicit (SI) solver currently used in FESOM2. The SE solver utilises a dissipative asynchronous (forward-backward) time-stepping scheme. Its implementation with Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) vertical coordinates like Z-star and Z-tilde is explored. The comparisons are performed through multiple test cases involving idealised and realistic global simulations. The SE solver demonstrates lower phase errors and dissipation, but maintain a simulated mean ocean state very similar to the SI solver. The SE solver is also shown to possess better run-time performance and parallel scalability across all tested workloads.