Numerical simulation study on hydrodynamics of Xisha Islands and Reefs driven by tide levels, sea surface heights and ocean currents

Abstract This study employs the FVCOM numerical model to investigate tide flow and hydrodynamics in the marine region surrounding Yongxing Island. The HYCOM model is utilized to obtain sea surface height and ocean current data at the boundary. Additionally, the astronomical tide level predicted by the TPXO9 global tide model is incorporated into the analysis. Through numerical simulation research, the paper aims to examine the aforementioned phenomena. The findings indicate a strong concurrence between the outcomes of the FVCOM numerical simulation and the observed data. The winter and summer tidal patterns in the seas around Yongxing Island exhibit a high degree of similarity. In winter, the current speed of rapid flood and ebb process, exhibits somewhat higher than that in summer. The maximum current speed occurs in the northern marine region of Yongxing Island, during the rapid flood process, whereas it occurs in the northwest marine region of Yongxing Island during the rapid ebb process.