Remote sensing of ocean internal waves: An overview

Abstract

Oceanic internal waves can form at the interface (pycnocline) between layers of different water density and propagate long distances along the pycnocline. Internal waves on continental shelves are important because they can attain large amplitudes and affect acoustic wave propagation, submarine navigation, nutrient mixing in the euphotic zone, sediment resuspension, cross-shore pollutant transport, coastal engineering, and oil exploration. Internal waves induce local currents that modulate surface wavelets and slicks, causing patterns of alternating brighter and darker bands to appear on the surface. The surface patterns can be mapped by satellites using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) or visible imagers. The objectives of this article are to discuss methods for remotely studying and mapping ocean internal waves and to present examples illustrating the application of satellite remote sensing. © 2012, the Coastal Education & Research Foundation (CERF).