Satellite Derived Bathymetry 101
An introduction to a suite of technologies to estimate, calculate or model the seafloor utilizing a variety of space based instruments
Satellite radar altimeters measure the ocean surface height (sea level) by measuring the time it takes a radar pulse to travel from the satellite to the sea surface and back.
An estimation of seafloor based on numerous and repeated measurements of ocean wave spacing and speed, imaged by time delay or video captured by high resolution optical or radar satellites.
Utilizes traditional stereo cartographic techniques, correcting for light refraction at water surface to calculate elevation of the seafloor from multiple sub-meter resolution satellite images.
Green laser beams emitted from a satellite bounce off the seafloor and are captured. Seafloor elevation is calculated by distance = speed of light x time from pulse to collection. Not quite so simple...
Derivation of depths from light attenuation through water, measured at discrete ranges of visible to NIR electromagnetic range and measuring radiance from the seafloor using a variety of physics-based algorithms.
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Hydrospatial Data - Remote Sensing Services | TCarta
