2013 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
SURFACE CURRENT MAPPING IN COASTAL ZONES USING HIGH SPATIAL RESOLUTION SATELLITE DATA
| Project/Area Number |
25610140
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
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| Research Institution | Kyoto University |
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Principal Investigator |
ジョン マシューズ 京都大学, 国際高等教育院, 教授 (70649152)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
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| Keywords | stereo-satellite / ATSSG technique / surface currents / marine debris / Tohoku tsunami |
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| Research Abstract |
As outlined in the original proposal, this research aims to extend and develop the ATSSG (Along-Track Stereo Sun Glitter) Technique (e.g. Matthews and Yoshikawa, 2012), which generates high spatial resolution surface current and wave data from satellite images. I have applied this new technique using images of high societal significance that were gathered near the Fukushima Daiichi power station shortly after the 11 March 2011 Tohoku tsunami and in which large patches of floating wreckage are visible. Novel results relating to the motions and dynamics of these marine debris rafts have now been derived, which in turn have led to new theoretical ideas. The ATSSG methodology, together with its CTSSG (Cross-Track Stereo Sun Glitter) derivative, provide a unique basis for this research as they give the true surface current, inclusive of wind and wave effects, that actually determines the evolution of floating debris from the tsunami.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The work is going to plan and recent research developments have been clearly favorable. Much material is now available as a basis for the research paper(s) which I plan to write in FY2014. Some key highlights so far are:the generalization of the ATSSG method into the CTSSG approach, showing that data from two satellites can be utilized to derive high spatial resolution surface current and wave information; a comparison study of CTSSG-derived surface currents derived using images obtained on 14 March 2011 by the WorldView-1 and WorldView-2 satellites with those obtained from the JCOPE-2 numerical model; the first calculation of a “motion budget” for a large (1 km-scale) debris raft, in which the contributions from wind, waves and tides are correctly evaluated; the identification of turbulent wake effects in the Fukushima wreckage field, and the discovery of the role of wave refraction in determining debris raft evolution. Further, as a Principal Investigator for the ALOS-2 satellite mission, I carried out some initial preparations for the possible incorporation of ALOS-2 data into this research scheme.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
(1) Work within the “Applications Phase” of this project will continue on into FY2014 with further CTSSG-based studies of the dynamics of the tsunami-induced marine debris field off the coast of Fukushima. Work on the comparison with JCOPE-2 results and on the turbulent wake phenomenon will continue.
(2) Within the later “Comparison Phase”, it is hoped that data from the ALOS-2 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission will become available. These may be incorporated into the project, if time allows, in a comparison of SAR-derived surface current determinations with those from ATSSG or CTSSG.
(3) The ALOS-2 SAR data (again, if available) may also be used in parallel with very high spatial resolution optical imagery in a study of the energetic large-scale internal waves generated at the Lombok and Ombai Straits of Indonesia.
(4) Write a research paper (or papers) based on the results of this project.
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| Expenditure Plans for the Next FY Research Funding |
This money is required in order to carry out the research plan described above.
The support will be used to purchase further satellite data and to make academic travel visits in order to present research seminars.
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Research Products
(5 results)
