> Our Scientists First with Observations Of Indian Ocean Tsunami From Satellite
Our Scientists First with Observations
Of Indian Ocean Tsunami From Satellite
The attached figure shows a map
of the NOAA /
OAR /
PMEL model for the December
26, Indian Ocean tsunami at a time slice when the Jason-w satellite altimeter
flew across the Indian Ocean, and a comparison of the PMEL
model and the NOAA
Lab for Satellite Altimetry analysis of the altimeter data. LSA is
working with PMEL
to use these data to refine our understanding of how
tsunamis move across ocean basins. These satellite data are important
because the height of the tsunami in the open sea could not be measured by
any other means. These data are not received in real time and are not
accurate enough to be used for a monitoring and warning system. Altimeter data
can be used to improve tsunami hazard forecasting by (1) helping calibrate and
validate tsunami wave models and (2) providing better ocean bathymetry maps
from which wave energy patterns can be estimated. This is important for
demonstrating the use of altimetry for natural hazard for detection and
mitigation.
Figure (right). Sea level observations
from the Jason1 altimeter shows multiple wave crests and troughs radiating
across the Indian Ocean with amplitudes as large as 60 cm.
Dept. of Commerce • NOAA • NESDIS • STAR • Last revised: June 15, 2010
The attached figure shows a map
of the NOAA /
OAR /
PMEL model for the December
26, Indian Ocean tsunami at a time slice when the Jason-w satellite altimeter
flew across the Indian Ocean, and a comparison of the PMEL
model and the NOAA
Lab for Satellite Altimetry analysis of the altimeter data. LSA is
working with PMEL
to use these data to refine our understanding of how
tsunamis move across ocean basins. These satellite data are important
because the height of the tsunami in the open sea could not be measured by
any other means. These data are not received in real time and are not
accurate enough to be used for a monitoring and warning system. Altimeter data
can be used to improve tsunami hazard forecasting by (1) helping calibrate and
validate tsunami wave models and (2) providing better ocean bathymetry maps
from which wave energy patterns can be estimated. This is important for
demonstrating the use of altimetry for natural hazard for detection and
mitigation.