Skip to main content

Southern Ocean Waves and Winds Derived from SEASAT Altimeter Measurements

  • Chapter
Wave Dynamics and Radio Probing of the Ocean Surface

Abstract

SEASAT altimeter measurements of significant wave height in the Southern Ocean during August and September 1978 have been examined. Significant wave heights of greater than 10 m were observed. Background levels of 2–4 m indicate generally rougher seas than occur in the North Atlantic during a comparable season. The altimeter data set is examined statistically and the spectrum of the worst case situations is determined parametrically based upon a JONSWAP form of the spectrum. Results of a statistical analysis of the altimeter data are presented together with an evaluation of the probable spectral characteristics based upon a parametric derivation of the spectrum.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Brown, G. S., H. R. Stanley, and N. A. Roy (1981): The windspeed measurement capability of spaceborne radar altimeters. IEEE J. Ocean. Eng. OE-6, 59–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardone, V. J., H. Carlson, J. A. Ewing, K. Hassehnann, S. Lazanoff, D. Ross, and W. McLeish (1981): The surface environment in the Gate B/C scale-phase III. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 11, 1280–1293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cartwright, D. E. (1971): Tides and waves in the vicinity of St. Helena. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. A 270, 603–649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cartwright, D. E., J. S. Drives, and J. E. Tranter (1978): Swell waves at St. Helena related to distant storms. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 103, 655–683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fedor, L. A., and G. S. Brown (1981): Wave height and wind speed measurements from the Seasat radar altimeter. J. Geophys. Res. 87, C5, 3254–3260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrett, J. R. (1977): Review of drag coefficients over oceans and continents. Mon. Weather Rev. 105, 915–929.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guymer, L. B., and J. F. Le Marshall (1981): Impact of FGGE buoy data on southern hemisphere analyses. Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc. 62, 38–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasselmann, K., T. P. Bamett, E. Bouws, H. Carison, D. E. Cartwright, K. Enke, J. A. Ewing, H. Gienapp, D. E. Hasselmann, P. Kruseman, A. Meerburg, P. Müller, D. J. Olbers, K. Richter, W. Sell, and H. Walden (1973): Measurements of wind-wave growth and swell during the Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP). Dtsch. Hydrogr. Z. Suppl. A 8 (12).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasselmann, K., D. B. Ross, P. Müller, and W. Sell (1976): A parametric wave prediction model. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 6, 200–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mognard, N., and B. Lago (1979): The computation of wind speed and wave heights from GEOS-3 data. J. Geophys. Res. 84, B8, 3979–3986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munk, W.H., G. R. Miller, F. E. Snodgrass, and N. J. Barber (1963): Directional recording of swell from distant storms. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. A 255, 505–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neumann, G., and W. J. Pierson Jr., (1966): Principles of Physical Oceanography, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snodgrass, F. E., G. W. Groves, K. Hasselmann, G. R. Miller, W. H. Münk, and W. H. Powers (1966): Propagation of ocean swell across the Pacific. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. A 259, 431–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tapley, B. D., G. H. Born, H. H. Hagar, J. Lorell, M. E. Parke, J. M. Diamante, B. C. Douglas, C. C. Goad, R. Kolenkiewicz, J. G. Marsh, C. F. Martin, S. L. Smith, III, W. F. Townsend, J. A. Whitehead, H. M. Byrne, L. S. Fedor, D. C. Hammond, and N. M. Mognard (1979): Seasat altimeter calibration, initial results. Science 204, 1410–1412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, D. J. (1981): A comparison of Seasat I altimeter measurement made by a pitch-roll buoy. J. Geophys. Res. 86, 6394–6398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1986 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mognard, N.M., Campbell, W.J., Cheney, R.E., Marsh, J.G., Ross, D. (1986). Southern Ocean Waves and Winds Derived from SEASAT Altimeter Measurements. In: Phillips, O.M., Hasselmann, K. (eds) Wave Dynamics and Radio Probing of the Ocean Surface. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8980-4_33

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8980-4_33

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-8982-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-8980-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics