Landsat-8 Observations of Foam Coverage under Fetch-Limited Wave Development

In this paper, we aimed to clarify the problem of foam coverage dependence on wave fetch, which is interest in satellite microwave radiometry, but for controversial results were reported previously. The classical approach investigating developing waves was applied. That is, are considered as coming from coast under approximately constant wind velocity. study includes two scenes intensive katabatic winds Gulf Lion and Tehuantepec. We used Bands Landsat OLI images extract spectral peak frequency sea fraction covered by simultaneously along fetch. distributions fetch obeying growth law clearly showed that observed waves. Along surface with grows about three times power law. This development occurred at range dimensionless fetches 50 up 7000 if scaled using velocity gravity acceleration. A simple model suggested. modeled energy dissipation rate JONSWAP spectrum seas. explains observations quantitative level. Reported can be applied investigations tropical cyclones radiometry.