статья в журнале

En

Earth and Space Science

ISSN:23335084

2026

Cheshm, S,V.¹

Chapron, B.²

Collard, F.¹

10.1029/2025EA004443

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission provides unprecedented high-resolution simultaneous observations of both sea surface height anomalies and sea surface roughness. Specifically, it enables more precise analysis of strong internal waves. Off the Amazon Shelf, in the Indonesian Seas, and near the Mascarene Ridge, internal wave signatures range from 3 to 50 km in wavelength. Using a three-layer model to describe upper ocean stratification, SWOT measurements of sea surface heights are converted into thermocline displacements, which can reach amplitudes of up to 80 m. Simultaneous measurements of changes in sea surface roughness and height offer new insights into the mechanisms behind internal wave detection through precise radar intensity measurements. In fact, SWOT data can be analyzed with a modulation transfer function that connects radar intensity contrasts to the divergence of surface currents derived from sea surface height measurements. Based on these observations, a SWOT-based modulation transfer function is developed as a function of the amplitude and wavenumber of internal waves, as well as local wind conditions. The highest radar intensity contrasts occur when internal waves propagate in the same direction as the wind, indicating resonant conditions between short wind waves and internal waves. These findings open new possibilities for extracting valuable information about Brunt–Väisälä frequency profiles from satellite observations of internal waves. © 2026. The Author(s).

displacement, imaging method, internal wave, radar, satellite mission, surface roughness, surface water, thermocline, upper ocean, wind wave

2-s2.0-105028946914

Cheshm Siyahi, V., Kudryavtsev, V.,Chapron, B., Collard, F. Novel insights on ocean internal waves: Quantitative surface manifestations and upper ocean layer displacements from the surface water ocean topography mission (SWOT) measurements//Earth and Space Science.- 20226.- vol. 13.- e2025EA004443. - https://doi.org/10.1029/2025EA004443.