Modeling Nearshore Processes as Complex Systems

The long-term goal of this research is to develop and test predictive models for nearshore processes. This is to be accomplished within the framework of the nearshore as a hierarchical complex system, wherein, at discretely ordered space and time scales, a small number of variables emerge as the dominant influences on the dynamics of this nonlinear, open system and the interactions between these dominant variables give rise to complex, emergent behavior. The original document contains color images. All DTIC reproductions will be in black and white.