Detecting imprints of atmospheric waves in the Bering Sea with MODIS data

Abstract

Satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data of water leaving radiance of 859 nm with a spatial resolution of 250 m were used to investigate the impact of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs), which manifested as stripes in clouds and on the sea surface. On the basis of an evaluation of the characteristics of AGWs and sea depth, it was shown that the surface stripes, or surface waves (SWs) were imprints of AGWs. Crests of SWs were like prolongations of cloud stripes on the combined radiance images testifying that SWs were shifted by minus a quarter of the period relative to AGWs.

Keywords

• MODIS
• Remote sensing
• Ocean optics
• Water leaving radiance