Retrieving Angular Distributions of Sea Wave Energy According to Satellite Imagery Spectra

Abstract

Here we elaborate the method for retrieval of 2D spatial spectra of sea wave elevations using high-resolution satellite imagery. Such an elaboration allows us to assess angular distributions of wind wave energy. The method was validated based on the results of a comprehensive experiment that involved optical satellite imaging of the Black Sea water area and sea truth measurements under controlled conditions using a stationary oceanographic platform. Angular distribution of sea wave energy, retrieved by spatial spectra of satellite image fragments, were compared with the results of measurements of frequency-angular spectra using data from an array of string wave recorders. It has been demonstrated that the results of measurements by remote and in-situ methods are consistent in the range of sea wavelengths from 2.8 to 30 m, and the mean absolute error is 0.3.