Satellite Altimetry Observations of Large-Scale Internal Solitary Waves

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Abstract
High sampling rate altimetry and near-simultaneous synthetic aperture radar image data reveal short-period oscillations, which are identified for the first time as internal solitary waves. Their rough and slick patterns introduce mixed contributions in the altimeter's footprint, contradicting the assumption of a uniform Brown surface. The resulting geophysical parameters are significantly changed in the waves' surroundings, yielding unrealistic estimates when compared with the unperturbed background. A statistical analysis is presented for the South China Sea to infer the frequency of the phenomena, whereas possible implications are briefly discussed in the framework of present and forthcoming altimeter missions.
Funding Information
  • ESA Project (AOPT-2423)
  • DLR projects (OCE3154, OCE2254)
  • FCT (SFRH/BPD/84420/2012)
  • Project Radar altimeter detection of Internal Solitary Waves in the ocean as part of the Ocean Surface Topography Science Team in the frame of the CNES/EUMETSAT Research Announcement (CNES-DIA/TEC-2016.8595, EUM/LEO-JAS3/DOC/16/852054)

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