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CAM3 standalone & topography init.

Hi there.

I'm trying to couple the (stand-alone) CAM3 to a 3D thermomechanical ice sheet code, and am wondering about the topographic initialization process. I understand that it is often necessary in the context of an atmospheric model to "phase in" initial topography gradually during model initialization. I surmised from the governing equations that topographical constraints on dynamics in the CAM are primarily handled via the surface geopotential field 'phis', and have therefore been searching within the source code for some sort of gradual "phasing in" of this variable. I haven't found any such process yet, and am wondering if it even exists. Does the CAM require topography to be gradually phased in, or is this simply not necessary? If not, why not? If so, can anyone point me to where this process happens in the source?

Many thanks,

-Mike
 
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