Determination of Ocean Wave Period from Altimeter Data Using Wave-Age Concept

Abstract

This study makes use of the concept of wave age in estimating ocean wave period from space borne altimeter measurements of backscattering coefficient and significant wave height. Introduction of wave age allowed better accounting of the difference between swells and wind waves. Using two years (1998 and 1999) data of TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter and ocean data buoy observations in the Indian Ocean, coefficients were generated for wave period, which were subsequently tested against data for the years 2000 and 2001. The results showed the wave period accuracy to be of the order of 0.6 sec (against 1.3 sec obtained with the semiempirical approach, reported earlier).

Keywords:

• altimeter
• wave age
• wave period
• TOPEX/Poseidon satellite
• ocean buoy

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Director, Space Applications Centre, Dr. M. S. Narayanan and Dr. V. K. Agarwal for encouragement. Dr. Pranav Desai is thanked for his critical appreciation and Mr. Vihang Bhatt, for useful discussion.