diff --git a/compass/ocean/plot.py b/compass/ocean/plot.py
index 21b9abd75e..ae5eb91408 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/plot.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/plot.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     nVertLevels = ds.sizes['nVertLevels']
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    fig.set_size_inches(16.0, 12.0)
+    fig.set_size_inches(16.0, 16.0)
     plt.clf()
 
     print('plotting histograms of the initial condition')
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
         'number layers: {}\n\n'.format(nVertLevels) + \
         '  min val   max val  variable name\n'
 
-    plt.subplot(3, 3, 2)
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 2)
     varName = 'maxLevelCell'
     var = ds[varName]
     maxLevelCell = var.values - 1
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
                                           var.max().values, varName)
 
-    plt.subplot(3, 3, 3)
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 3)
     varName = 'bottomDepth'
     var = ds[varName]
     xarray.plot.hist(var, bins=nVertLevels - 4)
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     cellMask = xarray.DataArray(data=cellMask, dims=('nCells', 'nVertLevels'))
     edgeMask = xarray.DataArray(data=edgeMask, dims=('nEdges', 'nVertLevels'))
 
-    plt.subplot(3, 3, 4)
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 4)
     varName = 'temperature'
     var = ds[varName].isel(Time=0).where(cellMask)
     xarray.plot.hist(var, bins=100, log=True)
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
                                           var.max().values, varName)
 
-    plt.subplot(3, 3, 5)
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 5)
     varName = 'salinity'
     var = ds[varName].isel(Time=0).where(cellMask)
     xarray.plot.hist(var, bins=100, log=True)
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
                                           var.max().values, varName)
 
-    plt.subplot(3, 3, 6)
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 6)
     varName = 'layerThickness'
     var = ds[varName].isel(Time=0).where(cellMask)
     xarray.plot.hist(var, bins=100, log=True)
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
                                           var.max().values, varName)
 
-    plt.subplot(3, 3, 7)
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 7)
     varName = 'rx1Edge'
     var = ds[varName].isel(Time=0).where(edgeMask)
     maxRx1Edge = var.max().values
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
                                           var.max().values, varName)
 
-    plt.subplot(3, 3, 8)
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 8)
     varName = 'areaCell'
     var = ds[varName]
     xarray.plot.hist(1e-6 * var, bins=100, log=True)
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
                                           var.max().values, varName)
 
-    plt.subplot(3, 3, 9)
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 9)
     varName = 'dcEdge'
     var = ds[varName]
     xarray.plot.hist(1e-3 * var, bins=100, log=True)
@@ -128,6 +128,26 @@ def plot_initial_state(input_file_name='initial_state.nc',
     txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
                                           var.max().values, varName)
 
+    plt.subplot(4, 3, 10)
+    var = ds.ssh - (-ds.bottomDepth)
+    if 'landIceMask' in ds:
+        mask = ds.landIceMask == 0
+        var = var.where(mask)
+    xarray.plot.hist(var, bins=100, log=True)
+    plt.ylabel('frequency')
+    plt.xlabel(r'open ocean water-column thickness (m)')
+    txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
+                                          var.max().values, 'open ocean wc')
+
+    if 'landIceMask' in ds:
+        plt.subplot(4, 3, 11)
+        var = (ds.ssh - (-ds.bottomDepth)).where(ds.landIceMask == 1)
+        xarray.plot.hist(var, bins=100, log=True)
+        plt.ylabel('frequency')
+        plt.xlabel(r'ice-shelf cavity water-column thickness (m)')
+        txt = '{}{:9.2e} {:9.2e} {}\n'.format(txt, var.min().values,
+                                              var.max().values, 'cavity wc')
+
     font = FontProperties()
     font.set_family('monospace')
     font.set_size(12)
diff --git a/compass/ocean/suites/so12to30.txt b/compass/ocean/suites/so12to30.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d9fb27d8c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/ocean/suites/so12to30.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+ocean/global_ocean/SO12to30/mesh
+ocean/global_ocean/SO12to30/WOA23/init
+ocean/global_ocean/SO12to30/WOA23/performance_test
+ocean/global_ocean/SO12to30/WOA23/dynamic_adjustment
+ocean/global_ocean/SO12to30/WOA23/files_for_e3sm
diff --git a/compass/ocean/suites/so12to60.txt b/compass/ocean/suites/so12to60.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index 42c0943056..0000000000
--- a/compass/ocean/suites/so12to60.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-ocean/global_ocean/SO12to60/mesh
-ocean/global_ocean/SO12to60/WOA23/init
-ocean/global_ocean/SO12to60/WOA23/performance_test
-ocean/global_ocean/SO12to60/WOA23/dynamic_adjustment
-ocean/global_ocean/SO12to60/WOA23/files_for_e3sm
diff --git a/compass/ocean/suites/sowisc12to30.txt b/compass/ocean/suites/sowisc12to30.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..377f440bb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/ocean/suites/sowisc12to30.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to30/mesh
+ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to30/WOA23/init
+ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to30/WOA23/performance_test
+ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to30/WOA23/dynamic_adjustment
+ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to30/WOA23/files_for_e3sm
diff --git a/compass/ocean/suites/sowisc12to60.txt b/compass/ocean/suites/sowisc12to60.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index 6d638a1859..0000000000
--- a/compass/ocean/suites/sowisc12to60.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to60/mesh
-ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to60/WOA23/init
-ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to60/WOA23/performance_test
-ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to60/WOA23/dynamic_adjustment
-ocean/global_ocean/SOwISC12to60/WOA23/files_for_e3sm
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/__init__.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/__init__.py
index 3d266a9cc9..69f3e96669 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/__init__.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/__init__.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def __init__(self, mpas_core):
 
         self._add_tests(mesh_names=['ARRM10to60', 'ARRMwISC10to60'])
 
-        self._add_tests(mesh_names=['SO12to60', 'SOwISC12to60'])
+        self._add_tests(mesh_names=['SO12to30', 'SOwISC12to30'])
 
         self._add_tests(mesh_names=['WC14', 'WCwISC14'])
 
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/initial_state.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/initial_state.py
index 71f47e94c6..5b6e511bd7 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/initial_state.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/initial_state.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import os
 from importlib.resources import contents, read_text
 
+import numpy as np
 import xarray as xr
 from jinja2 import Template
 from mpas_tools.io import write_netcdf
@@ -194,7 +195,7 @@ def run(self):
         """
         config = self.config
         section = config['global_ocean']
-        self._smooth_topography()
+        topo_filename = self._smooth_topography()
 
         interfaces = generate_1d_grid(config=config)
 
@@ -223,8 +224,16 @@ def run(self):
             namelist['config_rx1_min_layer_thickness'] = \
                 f'{cavity_min_layer_thickness}'
 
+            min_water_column_thickness = \
+                cavity_min_layer_thickness * cavity_min_levels
+
+            topo_filename = self._dig_cavity_bed_elevation(
+                topo_filename, min_water_column_thickness)
+
         self.update_namelist_at_runtime(namelist)
 
+        symlink(target=topo_filename, link_name='topography.nc')
+
         update_pio = config.getboolean('global_ocean', 'init_update_pio')
         run_model(self, update_pio=update_pio)
 
@@ -250,10 +259,8 @@ def _smooth_topography(self):
         section = config['global_ocean']
         num_passes = section.getint('topo_smooth_num_passes')
         if num_passes == 0:
-            # just symlink the culled topography to be the topography used for
-            # the initial condition
-            symlink(target='topography_culled.nc', link_name='topography.nc')
-            return
+            # just return the culled topography file name
+            return 'topography_culled.nc'
 
         distance_limit = section.getfloat('topo_smooth_distance_limit')
         std_deviation = section.getfloat('topo_smooth_std_deviation')
@@ -274,7 +281,8 @@ def _smooth_topography(self):
         check_call(args=['ocean_smooth_topo_before_init'],
                    logger=self.logger)
 
-        with (xr.open_dataset('topography_culled.nc') as ds_topo):
+        out_filename = 'topography_smoothed.nc'
+        with xr.open_dataset('topography_culled.nc') as ds_topo:
             with xr.open_dataset('topography_orig_and_smooth.nc') as ds_smooth:
                 for field in ['bed_elevation', 'landIceDraftObserved',
                               'landIceThkObserved']:
@@ -282,4 +290,23 @@ def _smooth_topography(self):
                     ds_topo[field] = ds_smooth[f'{field}New']
                     ds_topo[field].attrs = attrs
 
-            write_netcdf(ds_topo, 'topography.nc')
+            write_netcdf(ds_topo, out_filename)
+        return out_filename
+
+    def _dig_cavity_bed_elevation(self, in_filename,
+                                  min_water_column_thickness):
+        """ Dig bed elevation to preserve minimum water-column thickness """
+
+        out_filename = 'topography_dig_bed.nc'
+        with xr.open_dataset(in_filename) as ds_topo:
+            bed = ds_topo.bed_elevation
+            attrs = bed.attrs
+            draft = ds_topo.landIceDraftObserved
+            max_bed = draft - min_water_column_thickness
+            mask = np.logical_or(draft == 0., bed < max_bed)
+            bed = xr.where(mask, bed, max_bed)
+            ds_topo['bed_elevation'] = bed
+            ds_topo['bed_elevation'].attrs = attrs
+
+            write_netcdf(ds_topo, out_filename)
+        return out_filename
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/__init__.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/__init__.py
index 280bf49b9d..e88a96d612 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/__init__.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/__init__.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
     QUMeshFromConfigStep,
 )
 from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.rrs6to18 import RRS6to18BaseMesh
-from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.so12to60 import SO12to60BaseMesh
+from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.so12to30 import SO12to30BaseMesh
 from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.wc14 import WC14BaseMesh
 from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.metadata import (
     get_author_and_email_from_git,
@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@ def __init__(self, test_group, mesh_name, high_res_topography):
             base_mesh_step = ARRM10to60BaseMesh(self, name=name, subdir=subdir)
         elif mesh_name in ['RRS6to18', 'RRSwISC6to18']:
             base_mesh_step = RRS6to18BaseMesh(self, name=name, subdir=subdir)
-        elif mesh_name in ['SO12to60', 'SOwISC12to60']:
-            base_mesh_step = SO12to60BaseMesh(self, name=name, subdir=subdir)
+        elif mesh_name in ['SO12to30', 'SOwISC12to30']:
+            base_mesh_step = SO12to30BaseMesh(self, name=name, subdir=subdir)
         elif mesh_name in ['FRIS01to60', 'FRISwISC01to60']:
             base_mesh_step = FRIS01to60BaseMesh(self, name=name, subdir=subdir)
         elif mesh_name in ['FRIS02to60', 'FRISwISC02to60']:
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/__init__.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2f05894fb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+import numpy as np
+from geometric_features import read_feature_collection
+from mpas_tools.cime.constants import constants
+from mpas_tools.mesh.creation.signed_distance import (
+    signed_distance_from_geojson,
+)
+
+from compass.mesh import QuasiUniformSphericalMeshStep
+
+
+class SO12to30BaseMesh(QuasiUniformSphericalMeshStep):
+    """
+    A step for creating SO12to30 meshes
+    """
+    def setup(self):
+        """
+        Add some input files
+        """
+
+        self.add_input_file(filename='high_res_region.geojson',
+                            package=self.__module__)
+
+        super().setup()
+
+    def build_cell_width_lat_lon(self):
+        """
+        Create cell width array for this mesh on a regular latitude-longitude
+        grid
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        cellWidth : numpy.array
+            m x n array of cell width in km
+
+        lon : numpy.array
+            longitude in degrees (length n and between -180 and 180)
+
+        lat : numpy.array
+            longitude in degrees (length m and between -90 and 90)
+        """
+
+        dlon = 0.1
+        dlat = dlon
+        earth_radius = constants['SHR_CONST_REARTH']
+        nlon = int(360. / dlon) + 1
+        nlat = int(180. / dlat) + 1
+        lon = np.linspace(-180., 180., nlon)
+        lat = np.linspace(-90., 90., nlat)
+
+        # start with a uniform 30 km background resolution
+        dx_max = 30.
+        cell_width = dx_max * np.ones((nlat, nlon))
+
+        fc = read_feature_collection('high_res_region.geojson')
+
+        so_signed_distance = signed_distance_from_geojson(fc, lon, lat,
+                                                          earth_radius,
+                                                          max_length=0.25)
+
+        # Equivalent to 20 degrees latitude
+        trans_width = 1600e3
+        trans_start = 500e3
+        dx_min = 12.
+
+        weights = 0.5 * (1 + np.tanh((so_signed_distance - trans_start) /
+                                     trans_width))
+
+        cell_width = dx_min * (1 - weights) + cell_width * weights
+
+        return cell_width, lon, lat
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/dynamic_adjustment.yaml b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/dynamic_adjustment.yaml
similarity index 100%
rename from compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/dynamic_adjustment.yaml
rename to compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/dynamic_adjustment.yaml
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/high_res_region.geojson b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/high_res_region.geojson
similarity index 96%
rename from compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/high_res_region.geojson
rename to compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/high_res_region.geojson
index a536ebaba9..4b8b7202c6 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/high_res_region.geojson
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/high_res_region.geojson
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     {
       "type": "Feature",
       "properties": {
-        "name": "SO12to60 high res region",
+        "name": "SO12to30 high res region",
         "component": "ocean",
         "object": "region",
         "author": "Xylar Asay-Davis"
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/namelist.init b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/namelist.init
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..16185cf866
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/namelist.init
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+config_rx1_inner_iter_count = 20
+config_rx1_horiz_smooth_weight = 1.0
+config_rx1_vert_smooth_weight = 1.0
+config_rx1_slope_weight = 1e-2
+config_rx1_zstar_weight = 1.0
+config_rx1_min_levels = 5
+config_rx1_min_layer_thickness = 2.0
+config_global_ocean_minimum_depth = 10.0
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/namelist.split_explicit_ab2 b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/namelist.split_explicit_ab2
similarity index 100%
rename from compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/namelist.split_explicit_ab2
rename to compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/namelist.split_explicit_ab2
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/so12to60.cfg b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg
similarity index 57%
rename from compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/so12to60.cfg
rename to compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg
index 541b71e917..3f7551ae34 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/so12to60.cfg
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg
@@ -2,28 +2,47 @@
 [vertical_grid]
 
 # the type of vertical grid
-grid_type = index_tanh_dz
+grid_type = tanh_dz
 
 # Number of vertical levels
-vert_levels = 64
+vert_levels = 80
 
 # Depth of the bottom of the ocean
 bottom_depth = 5500.0
 
 # The minimum layer thickness
-min_layer_thickness = 10.0
+min_layer_thickness = 2.0
 
 # The maximum layer thickness
-max_layer_thickness = 250.0
+max_layer_thickness = 150.0
 
-# The characteristic number of levels over which the transition between
-# the min and max occurs
-transition_levels = 28
+# Options relate to adjusting the sea-surface height or land-ice pressure
+# below ice shelves to they are dynamically consistent with one another
+[ssh_adjustment]
+
+# the number of iterations of ssh adjustment to perform
+iterations = 4
 
 
 # options for global ocean testcases
 [global_ocean]
 
+## config options related to the initial_state step
+
+# minimum number of vertical levels, both in the open ocean and in ice-shelf
+# cavities
+min_levels = 5
+cavity_min_levels = ${min_levels}
+
+# minimum thickness of layers in ice-shelf cavities at the beginning and end
+# of iterative ssh init
+cavity_min_layer_thickness_initial = 2.0
+cavity_min_layer_thickness_final = 2.0
+
+# Maximum allowed Haney number for configurations with ice-shelf cavities
+rx1_max = 20.0
+
+
 # the approximate number of cells in the mesh
 approx_cell_count = 570000
 
@@ -33,23 +52,20 @@ prefix = SO
 # a description of the mesh and initial condition
 mesh_description = MPAS Southern Ocean regionally refined mesh for E3SM version
                    ${e3sm_version} with enhanced resolution (${min_res} km) around
-                   Antarctica, 45-km resolution in the mid southern latitudes,
-                   30-km resolution in a 15-degree band around the equator, 60-km
-                   resolution in northern mid latitudes, 30 km in the north
-                   Atlantic and 35 km in the Arctic.  This mesh has <<<levels>>>
+                   Antarctica and ${max_res} km elsewhere.  This mesh has <<<levels>>>
                    vertical levels and includes cavities under the ice shelves
                    around Antarctica.
 # E3SM version that the mesh is intended for
 e3sm_version = 3
 # The revision number of the mesh, which should be incremented each time the
 # mesh is revised
-mesh_revision = 1
+mesh_revision = 3
 # the minimum (finest) resolution in the mesh
 min_res = 12
 # the maximum (coarsest) resolution in the mesh, can be the same as min_res
-max_res = 60
+max_res = 30
 # The URL of the pull request documenting the creation of the mesh
-pull_request = https://github.com/MPAS-Dev/compass/pull/669
+pull_request = https://github.com/MPAS-Dev/compass/pull/807
 
 
 # config options related to initial condition and diagnostics support files
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/__init__.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/__init__.py
deleted file mode 100644
index c7edd16a57..0000000000
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/__init__.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,118 +0,0 @@
-import mpas_tools.mesh.creation.mesh_definition_tools as mdt
-import numpy as np
-from geometric_features import read_feature_collection
-from mpas_tools.cime.constants import constants
-from mpas_tools.mesh.creation.signed_distance import (
-    signed_distance_from_geojson,
-)
-
-from compass.mesh import QuasiUniformSphericalMeshStep
-
-
-class SO12to60BaseMesh(QuasiUniformSphericalMeshStep):
-    """
-    A step for creating SO12to60 meshes
-    """
-    def setup(self):
-        """
-        Add some input files
-        """
-
-        self.add_input_file(filename='atlantic.geojson',
-                            package=self.__module__)
-
-        self.add_input_file(filename='high_res_region.geojson',
-                            package=self.__module__)
-
-        super().setup()
-
-    def build_cell_width_lat_lon(self):
-        """
-        Create cell width array for this mesh on a regular latitude-longitude
-        grid
-
-        Returns
-        -------
-        cellWidth : numpy.array
-            m x n array of cell width in km
-
-        lon : numpy.array
-            longitude in degrees (length n and between -180 and 180)
-
-        lat : numpy.array
-            longitude in degrees (length m and between -90 and 90)
-        """
-
-        dlon = 0.1
-        dlat = dlon
-        earth_radius = constants['SHR_CONST_REARTH']
-        nlon = int(360. / dlon) + 1
-        nlat = int(180. / dlat) + 1
-        lon = np.linspace(-180., 180., nlon)
-        lat = np.linspace(-90., 90., nlat)
-
-        cellWidthSouth = mdt.EC_CellWidthVsLat(lat, cellWidthEq=30.,
-                                               cellWidthMidLat=45.,
-                                               cellWidthPole=45.,
-                                               latPosEq=7.5, latWidthEq=3.0)
-
-        cellWidthNorth = mdt.EC_CellWidthVsLat(lat, cellWidthEq=30.,
-                                               cellWidthMidLat=60.,
-                                               cellWidthPole=35.,
-                                               latPosEq=7.5, latWidthEq=3.0)
-
-        # Transition at Equator
-        latTransition = 0.0
-        latWidthTransition = 2.5
-        cellWidthVsLat = mdt.mergeCellWidthVsLat(
-            lat,
-            cellWidthSouth,
-            cellWidthNorth,
-            latTransition,
-            latWidthTransition)
-
-        _, cellWidth = np.meshgrid(lon, cellWidthVsLat)
-
-        cellWidthAtlantic = mdt.EC_CellWidthVsLat(lat, cellWidthEq=30.,
-                                                  cellWidthMidLat=30.,
-                                                  cellWidthPole=35.,
-                                                  latPosEq=7.5, latWidthEq=3.0)
-
-        cellWidthAtlantic = mdt.mergeCellWidthVsLat(
-            lat,
-            cellWidthSouth,
-            cellWidthAtlantic,
-            latTransition,
-            latWidthTransition)
-
-        _, cellWidthAtlantic = np.meshgrid(lon, cellWidthAtlantic)
-
-        fc = read_feature_collection('atlantic.geojson')
-
-        atlantic_signed_distance = signed_distance_from_geojson(
-            fc, lon, lat, earth_radius, max_length=0.25)
-
-        trans_width = 400e3
-        trans_start = 0.
-        weights = 0.5 * (1 + np.tanh((atlantic_signed_distance - trans_start) /
-                                     trans_width))
-
-        cellWidth = cellWidthAtlantic * (1 - weights) + cellWidth * weights
-
-        fc = read_feature_collection('high_res_region.geojson')
-
-        so_signed_distance = signed_distance_from_geojson(fc, lon, lat,
-                                                          earth_radius,
-                                                          max_length=0.25)
-
-        # Equivalent to 20 degrees latitude
-        trans_width = 1600e3
-        trans_start = 500e3
-        dx_min = 12.
-
-        weights = 0.5 * (1 + np.tanh((so_signed_distance - trans_start) /
-                                     trans_width))
-
-        cellWidth = dx_min * (1 - weights) + cellWidth * weights
-
-        return cellWidth, lon, lat
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/atlantic.geojson b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/atlantic.geojson
deleted file mode 100644
index 1df1af372d..0000000000
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to60/atlantic.geojson
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,97 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "type": "FeatureCollection",
-  "features": [
-    {
-      "type": "Feature",
-      "properties": {
-        "name": "Atlantic region",
-        "component": "ocean",
-        "object": "region",
-        "author": "Xylar Asay-Davis"
-      },
-      "geometry": {
-        "type": "Polygon",
-        "coordinates": [
-          [
-            [
-              -97.3828125,
-              85.05112877979998
-            ],
-            [
-              -102.3046875,
-              40.17887331434696
-            ],
-            [
-              -102.3046875,
-              23.241346102386135
-            ],
-            [
-              -93.1640625,
-              15.623036831528264
-            ],
-            [
-              -85.78125,
-              13.581920900545844
-            ],
-            [
-              -83.583984375,
-              9.535748998133627
-            ],
-            [
-              -81.2109375,
-              8.059229627200192
-            ],
-            [
-              -79.013671875,
-              9.795677582829743
-            ],
-            [
-              -75.9375,
-              5.61598581915534
-            ],
-            [
-              -77.6953125,
-              0
-            ],
-            [
-              16.171875,
-              0
-            ],
-            [
-              27.773437499999996,
-              26.745610382199022
-            ],
-            [
-              37.96875,
-              32.24997445586331
-            ],
-            [
-              39.7265625,
-              39.36827914916014
-            ],
-            [
-              32.6953125,
-              53.9560855309879
-            ],
-            [
-              37.6171875,
-              61.438767493682825
-            ],
-            [
-              25.664062500000004,
-              68.26938680456564
-            ],
-            [
-              24.609375,
-              85.05112877979998
-            ],
-            [
-              -97.3828125,
-              85.05112877979998
-            ]
-          ]
-        ]
-      }
-    }
-  ]
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/developers_guide/ocean/api.rst b/docs/developers_guide/ocean/api.rst
index bd94c3cac1..d7f0d3e05d 100644
--- a/docs/developers_guide/ocean/api.rst
+++ b/docs/developers_guide/ocean/api.rst
@@ -295,8 +295,8 @@ test cases and steps
    mesh.rrs6to18.RRS6to18BaseMesh
    mesh.rrs6to18.RRS6to18BaseMesh.build_cell_width_lat_lon
 
-   mesh.so12to60.SO12to60BaseMesh
-   mesh.so12to60.SO12to60BaseMesh.build_cell_width_lat_lon
+   mesh.so12to30.SO12to30BaseMesh
+   mesh.so12to30.SO12to30BaseMesh.build_cell_width_lat_lon
 
    mesh.wc14.WC14BaseMesh
    mesh.wc14.WC14BaseMesh.build_cell_width_lat_lon
diff --git a/docs/developers_guide/ocean/test_groups/global_ocean.rst b/docs/developers_guide/ocean/test_groups/global_ocean.rst
index 2dd28ffc74..dccd5abdd7 100644
--- a/docs/developers_guide/ocean/test_groups/global_ocean.rst
+++ b/docs/developers_guide/ocean/test_groups/global_ocean.rst
@@ -791,20 +791,18 @@ the higher surface resolution of the 80-layer RRS vertical coordinate.
     config_rx1_min_layer_thickness = 0.1
 
 
-.. _dev_ocean_global_ocean_sowisc12to60:
+.. _dev_ocean_global_ocean_sowisc12to30:
 
-SO12to60 and SOwISC12to60
+SO12to30 and SOwISC12to30
 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
-The ``SO12to60`` and ``SOwISC12to60`` meshes are Southern Ocean regionally
-refined meshes with 12-km resolution around the Southern Ocean and Antarctica,
-45-km at southern mid-latitudes, 30-km at the equator and in the North
-Atlantic, 60-km resolution in the North Pacific, and 35-km resolution in the
-Arctic.
+The ``SO12to30`` and ``SOwISC12to30`` meshes are Southern Ocean regionally
+refined meshes with 12-km resolution around the Southern Ocean and Antarctica
+and have 30-km resoltuion elsewhere.
 
 The class
-:py:class:`compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.so12to60.SO12to60BaseMesh` defines
-the resolution for the meshes. The ``compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.so12to60``
+:py:class:`compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.so12to30.SO12to30BaseMesh` defines
+the resolution for the meshes. The ``compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.so12to30``
 module includes namelist options appropriate for forward simulations with
 split-explicit (but not RK4) time integration on these meshes.  These set the time
 step and default run duration for short runs with these meshes.
@@ -847,24 +845,21 @@ The default config options for these meshes are:
     prefix = SO
     # a description of the mesh and initial condition
     mesh_description = MPAS Southern Ocean regionally refined mesh for E3SM version
-                       ${e3sm_version} with enhanced resolution (${min_res} km) around
-                       Antarctica, 45-km resolution in the mid southern latitudes,
-                       30-km resolution in a 15-degree band around the equator, 60-km
-                       resolution in northern mid latitudes, 30 km in the north
-                       Atlantic and 35 km in the Arctic.  This mesh has <<<levels>>>
-                       vertical levels and includes cavities under the ice shelves
-                       around Antarctica.
+                    ${e3sm_version} with enhanced resolution (${min_res} km) around
+                    Antarctica and 30 km elsewhere.  This mesh has <<<levels>>>
+                    vertical levels and includes cavities under the ice shelves
+                    around Antarctica.
     # E3SM version that the mesh is intended for
     e3sm_version = 3
     # The revision number of the mesh, which should be incremented each time the
     # mesh is revised
-    mesh_revision = 1
+    mesh_revision = 2
     # the minimum (finest) resolution in the mesh
     min_res = 12
     # the maximum (coarsest) resolution in the mesh, can be the same as min_res
-    max_res = 60
+    max_res = 30
     # The URL of the pull request documenting the creation of the mesh
-    pull_request = https://github.com/MPAS-Dev/compass/pull/460
+    pull_request = https://github.com/MPAS-Dev/compass/pull/752
 
 
     # config options related to initial condition and diagnostics support files
@@ -874,6 +869,7 @@ The default config options for these meshes are:
     # CMIP6 grid resolution
     cmip6_grid_res = 180x360
 
+
 The vertical grid is an ``index_tanh_dz`` profile (see
 :ref:`dev_ocean_framework_vertical`) with 64 vertical levels ranging in
 thickness from 10 to 250 m.
diff --git a/docs/developers_guide/organization.rst b/docs/developers_guide/organization.rst
index f4e478bdd1..c41c421f5a 100644
--- a/docs/developers_guide/organization.rst
+++ b/docs/developers_guide/organization.rst
@@ -1675,7 +1675,7 @@ should have cached outputs, the suffix ``c`` can be added to the test number:
     compass setup -n 90c 91c 92 ...
 
 In this example, test cases 90 and 91 (``mesh`` and ``init`` test cases from
-the ``SOwISC12to60`` global ocean mesh, in this case) are set up with cached
+the ``SOwISC12to30`` global ocean mesh, in this case) are set up with cached
 outputs in all steps and 92 (``performance_test``) is not.  This approach is
 efficient but does not provide any control of which steps use cached outputs
 and which do not.
diff --git a/docs/tutorials/dev_add_rrm.rst b/docs/tutorials/dev_add_rrm.rst
index 840666ab14..701c6e9e50 100644
--- a/docs/tutorials/dev_add_rrm.rst
+++ b/docs/tutorials/dev_add_rrm.rst
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ This tutorial presents a step-by-step guide to adding a new mesh to the
 ``global_ocean`` test group in ``compass`` (see the :ref:`glossary` for
 definitions of some relevant terms).  In this tutorial, I will add a new
 mesh called YAM ("yet another mesh") that is based on techniques used to build
-the existing :ref:`dev_ocean_global_ocean_sowisc12to60` as well as
+the existing :ref:`dev_ocean_global_ocean_sowisc12to30` as well as
 :ref:`dev_ocean_global_ocean_wc14` meshes.
 
 .. _dev_tutorial_add_rrm_getting_started:
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ Next, we need to add this mesh to the list of known meshes:
 
     ...
 
-    from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.so12to60 import SO12to60BaseMesh
+    from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.so12to30 import SO12to30BaseMesh
     from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.wc14 import WC14BaseMesh
     from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.mesh.yam10to60 import YAM10to60BaseMesh
     from compass.ocean.tests.global_ocean.metadata import (
diff --git a/docs/users_guide/ocean/test_groups/global_ocean.rst b/docs/users_guide/ocean/test_groups/global_ocean.rst
index b86063163d..7ca1785b9d 100644
--- a/docs/users_guide/ocean/test_groups/global_ocean.rst
+++ b/docs/users_guide/ocean/test_groups/global_ocean.rst
@@ -460,24 +460,23 @@ ice-shelf cavities around Antarctica, whereas the RRS6to18 mesh does not.
    :width: 500 px
    :align: center
 
-.. _global_ocean_mesh_sowisc12to60:
+.. _global_ocean_mesh_sowisc12to30:
 
-SO12to60 and SOwISC12to60
+SO12to30 and SOwISC12to30
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
-The Southern Ocean 12- to 60-km mesh with ice-shelf cavities (SOwISC12to60),
+The Southern Ocean 12- to 30-km mesh with ice-shelf cavities (SOwISC12to30),
 sometimes called the Southern Ocean regionally refined mesh (SORRM), is
 the main simulation mesh for the
 `E3SM v2 Cryosphere Science Campaign <https://e3sm.org/research/cryosphere-ocean/v2-cryosphere-research/>`_
 and E3SM v3 Polar Processes, Sea-Level Rise, and Coastal Impacts Campaign.
 
-The SO12to60 is the same mesh but without ice-shelf cavities.
-The mesh has 12 km resolution around Antarctica, tapering to 45 km in mid
-Southern latitudes, 30 km at the equator and in the North Atlantic, 60 km
-in the North Pacific, and 35 km in the Arctic.  The mesh includes the
-:ref:`global_ocean_ice_shelf_cavities` around Antarctica in the ocean domain.
+The SO12to30 is the same mesh but without ice-shelf cavities.
+The mesh has 12-km resolution around Antarctica and 30-km resolution elsewhere.
+The mesh includes the :ref:`global_ocean_ice_shelf_cavities` around Antarctica
+in the ocean domain.
 
-.. image:: images/sowisc12to60.png
+.. image:: images/sowisc12to30.png
    :width: 500 px
    :align: center
 
diff --git a/docs/users_guide/quick_start.rst b/docs/users_guide/quick_start.rst
index 2f875ad713..ed3f5f01fc 100644
--- a/docs/users_guide/quick_start.rst
+++ b/docs/users_guide/quick_start.rst
@@ -428,8 +428,8 @@ The output is:
       -c ocean -t qu240_for_e3sm
       -c ocean -t quwisc240
       -c ocean -t quwisc240_for_e3sm
-      -c ocean -t so12to60
-      -c ocean -t sowisc12to60
+      -c ocean -t so12to30
+      -c ocean -t sowisc12to30
       -c ocean -t wc14
       -c ocean -t wcwisc14
       -c ocean -t wetdry
diff --git a/docs/users_guide/test_suites.rst b/docs/users_guide/test_suites.rst
index bea5dd7582..94943129bb 100644
--- a/docs/users_guide/test_suites.rst
+++ b/docs/users_guide/test_suites.rst
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ the current set of available test suites is:
       -c ocean -t qu240_for_e3sm
       -c ocean -t quwisc240
       -c ocean -t quwisc240_for_e3sm
-      -c ocean -t so12to60
-      -c ocean -t sowisc12to60
+      -c ocean -t so12to30
+      -c ocean -t sowisc12to30
       -c ocean -t wc14
       -c ocean -t wcwisc14
       -c ocean -t wetdry