Modeling with Drifters

We use models to understand and predict behaviour. We model the weather; designs for ocean going ships, airplanes, bridges and automobiles. The dynamics associated with the movement water in a river estuary is the focus of this investigation. In this lesson we are going to look at the process of creating a model for tracking a particle in the Columbia River estuary.

The utility of this model is varied. One use might be predicting what would happen to an oil spill in the mouth of the Columbia River.

Authors: Rich Berensen; EARTH 2010

Lesson Resources

• Systems, Models and Simulations PowerPoint
• Modeling with Drifters Lesson Plan