Automatic bathymetry retrieval from SAR images

• DOI: 10.1007/s12567-018-0234-4
• Publication Date: 2019-01-09T01:45:21Z
• Authors: Stefan Wiehle; Andrey Pleskachevsky; Claus Gebhardt
• Keywords: Swell

Bathymetry, the topography of sea floor, is in high demand due to increase offshore constructions like wind parks. It also an important dataset for climate change modelling, when level rises and changes circulation currents are be simulated. The retrieval accurate bathymetry data a cost-intensive task usually requiring survey vessel charting respective area. However, can retrieved remotely using from Earth observation satellites. main point this study development processor that allows automatic derivation gridded information spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. Observations state modifications SAR images used derive shelf areas shoaling effect, which causes wavelengths become shorter reaching shallower waters. water depth derived dispersion relation surface waves, requires wavelength wave period as input parameters. While directly image, peak additional procedures required, e.g. local measurements or complex A method automatically deriving swell waves was developed tested paper. uses public databases initial values compared depths iterating through possible periods along calculation grid; resulting minimal root-mean-square deviation then calculation. TerraSAR-X acquisition Channel Islands presented; 11.3 s fits well nearby situ measurement