Remote Synoptic Surface Current Measurements by Gravity Waves; A Method and its Test in a Small Body of Water

Abstract

Synoptic surface current data in a lagoon have been obtained utilizing a new approach that evolved from the kinematics of wave-current interaction. Surface current at a position was determined from wavelength and direction of two monochromatic wavetrains with known frequency; these wave data were required only at the position of current determination. The data, collected by aerial photography, were processed optically by two-dimensional Fourier transforms. Possible extension to surface flow measurements in the open ocean is discussed.