Nonlinear Internal Waves in The South China Sea
Abstract
ENVISAT ASAR, RADARSAT-I and ERS/2 SAR images have been used to study the internal waves in the north part of South China Sea (SCS). Based on the internal wave distribution map compiled film SAR images collected in the last 5 years. almost all internal waves in the SCS are propagating westward and are generated from the shallow topography or sills in the Luzon Strait. However, from ENVISAT ASAR images collected recently it shows no strong surface signature of internal wave near the sources region. More study on radar imaging mechanism for internal tides/waves near the generation area is needed. In the internal wave distribution map, the internal wave crest in the SCS can be as long as 200 km and the westward propagating huge well-developed internal solitons are often encountered and broken by the coral reefs on the shelf. In some cases, the broken waves will merge after passing the island and interact with each other. Also, the elevation internal wave and its induced re-suspension due to strong upwelling current in the shallow water (around 100 m depth) were detected by using shipboard echo-sounder EK5OO.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA437416
Entities
People
- Antony K. Liu
- Ming-kuang Hsu
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration