Internal Waves in the Strait of Hormuz using Sentinel-1 radar images‎

Farjami, Hossein; Rashidi Ebrahim Hesari, Akbar; Andi, Sajjad

doi:10.22034/ijcoe.2023.418738.1042

Internal Waves in the Strait of Hormuz using Sentinel-1 radar images‎

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

¹ INIOAS

² Tarbiat Modares University

10.22034/ijcoe.2023.418738.1042

Abstract

Internal waves (IWs) are oscillations of the water column that occur at the interface ‎between two layers of different densities. They play an important role in ocean ‎dynamics, mixing, and biogeochemical processes. However, IWs are difficult to ‎observe and measure in situ, especially in complex and narrow regions such as the ‎Strait of Hormuz. This study uses bathymetric data and over 100 satellite and radar ‎images from different sensors and platforms to investigate the occurrence and ‎behavior of IWs in the Strait of Hormuz. The results show that IWs are persistent in ‎this area due to the interaction of the internal current with the steep slope of the strait. ‎The waves emerge in shallow waters near the coasts of Iran and Oman, but they ‎change their direction and location when they reach the continental shelf. The leading ‎crest of IWs has a length ranging from 10 to 20 km, and the wavelength varies from 1 ‎to 3 km. The study confirms the findings of previous numerical simulations of ‎internal wave generation and propagation in this region. It also suggests that the ‎bathymetry is the main factor influencing IWs in the Strait of Hormuz, rather than ‎water column stratification. This study provides new insights into the spatial and ‎temporal characteristics of IWs in the Strait of Hormuz, which can help improve the ‎understanding and modeling of ocean circulation and ecology in this region‎.

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