Modeling the SAR Signature of Nonlinear Internal Waves

The objectives of this project are to understand, quantify and model the factors that influence the SAR signature of internal waves (IWs) using in situ and remote measurements. To accomplish this we have been studying the variables that impact the both the surface roughness and the corresponding radar backscattering cross section. Previous efforts focused on modeling the the modulation of surface waves by IWs using the action balance equation with source terms of energy input from the wind and energy loss from viscous dissipation. Our work seeks to include additional action source terms such as wave-wave interaction, generation of parasitic capillary waves and breaking waves.