Surface and internal ocean wave observations

The physical characteristics of the ocean surface waves are discussed, together with the prinicples behind altimetry measurements of the wave height and SAR measurements of surface wave direction and length. In addition, theoretical aspects of oceanic internal gravity waves are presented, and the measurements of oceanic internal wave fields, using the 'surface signatures' accompanying the underlying oscillations, are described. Results of the surface wave measurements obtained by the Seasat altimeter and SAR are presented along with inferred internal wave results obtained by SAR.