Record Details

Quantification of sand bar morphology : a video technique based on wave dissipation

ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Field Value
Title Quantification of sand bar morphology : a video technique based on wave dissipation
Names Lippmann, T. C. (creator)
Holman, Robert A. (creator)
Date Issued 1989 (iso8601)
Note copyrighted by American Geophysical Union
Abstract A technique is presented to remotely measure the scales and morphology of natural sandbars based
on the preferential dissipation of wind waves and swell over the crests of the bar. Photographic or
video images are recorded and statistical uncertainties associated with incident wave height modulations
removed by averaging (time exposures). Ground truth testing of the technique was carried out as
part of the SUPERDUCK experiment in October 1986. The time exposures generally provided a good
mapping of underlying morphology, allowing detection of the bar and determination of cross-shore
and longshore length scales. However, during high waves, persistent surface foam obscures the relationship
of image intensity to local dissipation (modeled theoretically by dissipation of a random
wave field), and an enhancement technique of image differencing must be done to remove the bias.
Errors in the estimate of bar crest distance from the shoreline are generally less than 35%, but this
value depends on the geometry of the particular bar. Logistic simplicity and quantitative capabilities
make this technique very attractive.
Genre Article
Identifier Holman, R. A., and Lippmann, T. C. (1989), Quantification of sand bar morphology: a video technique based on wave dissipation. J. Geophys. Res., 94, C1.

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