Sovremennye problemy distantsionnogo zondirovaniya Zemli iz kosmosa, 2010, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 260-272
Radar survey of internal waves surface manifestations
in non-tidal seas
M.I. Mityagina
, O.Yu. Lavrova
Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997, Moscow, Russia, Profsoyuznaya str. 84/32
In present paper the satellite remote sensing data (obtained by Envisat asar, Terra and Aqua modis, and noaa avhrr instruments) is used to study generation and propagation of non-tidal internal waves in the Black, Caspian and Baltic Seas. . It is the first time when instances of surface manifestations of non-tidal internal waves were identified in ASAR images of the sea surface taken over different non-tidal seas. Main spatial characteristics of non-tidal internal waves as well as the areas of their origination for different seas are revealed from satellite radar imagery. A comparative analysis of characteristics of non-tidal IW observed by means of satellite radar imagery in the mentioned seas is performed to investigate occurrence, evolution and propagation of internal waves and their manifestation in radar imagery for different test areas. Seasonal and inter-annual variability of internal wave surface manifestations in radar imagery is documented. Possible factors leading to the generation of non-tidal internal waves are determined on the basis of the analysis of available satellite remote sensing data of the sea surface in microwave, visual and IR ranges complemented by contact measurements. The mechanisms of internal wave generation are suggested.
Keywords: sea surface, internal waves, satellite radar imagery, satellite monitoring
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