diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg
index d0bdfa0351..d7450979bb 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.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 = 1.0
+
+# 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