Computer Animation of Storm Surge Predictions

Abstract

With the proliferation of low‐cost graphics systems and small computers, high‐quality computer graphic representation of the modeling of geophysical flow is feasible. In this work, storm surge activity on Lake Erie is simulated by a Leendertse‐type model and the output from this model (water surface elevations) are pictured as three‐dimensional surfaces in an animated sequence. Four methods for constructing such images are surveyed: A wire‐frame plot on a line‐drawing device; a representation as a set of flat panels on a polygondrawing raster display; a smooth shaded rendering on a point‐addressable monochrome display; and a full‐color rendering with “highlights” on a larger color palette display. Each of these methods are assessed in terms of speed, economy, reliability, the ability to render all relevant scales of activity, and the ability to be comprehended readily and unambiguously.