Refraction of coastal ocean wavesRefraction of gravity waves in the coastal area off Cape Hatteras, NC as documented by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery from Seasat orbit 974 (collected on September 3, 1978) is discussed. An analysis of optical Fourier transforms (OFTs) from more than 70 geographical positions yields estimates of wavelength and wave direction for each position. In addition, independent estimates of the same two quantities are calculated using two simple theoretical wave-refraction models. The OFT results are then compared with the theoretical results. A statistical analysis shows a significant degree of linear correlation between the data sets. This is considered to indicate that the Seasat SAR produces imagery whose clarity is sufficient to show the refraction of gravity waves in shallow water.
Document ID
19810061709
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - Collected Works
Authors
Shuchman, R. A. (Environmental Research Inst. of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Kasischke, E. S. (Michigan, Environmental Research Institute, Ann Arbor MI, United States)