Topographic features of the Bristol Channel sea-bed: A comparison of SEASAT (synthetic aperture radar) and side-scan sonar images

P. T. Harris, G. M. Ashley, M. B. Collins, A. E. James

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Side-scan sonar data collected in 1977 and 1983 from the Bristol Channel are compared with 1978 SEASAT images, in order to determine the limiting physical dimensions of positive and negative topographic features detectable by SEASAT. The identification of sea-bed topography is related to a change in current speed which, in turn, is controlled by the relief: Water-depth ratio. In a water depth of 45 m with a surface current speed of about 70 cm s−1 for example, features > 11 m in relief and with a spacing > 500 m are visible. The widths of tone-change bands on SEASAT images are found to be related to the ‘effective’ widths of the topographic features that are modifying the flow conditions. The tone-change band sequence is related to positive and negative relief of the bed, under a particular current direction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)119-136
Number of pages18
JournalInternational Journal of Remote Sensing
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1986

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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