Seabed geoforms identified from satellite data and tide current properties estimated by numerical model,

GAGLIARDINI, DOMINGO A; TONINI MARIANO; PALAMA ELBIO

Venecia

Simposio; THE OCEAN FROM THE SPACE; 2010

ERS-SAR and LANDSAT-TM/ETM systems have demonstrated to be an efficient tool for providing a systematic and synoptic view of the sea bottom topography in coastal zones. Dynamical models are able to describe ocean circulation and estimate tidal currents and energy dissipation. Both procedures have been used to monitor the Argentinean Patagonian coast. This paper compares the seabed geoforms identified by these satellites over this region with tide current properties estimated by a high resolution three dimensional numerical model. It is shown that both types of methods present coherent results. Bigger geoforms are found in zones where tidal currents and dissipated energy values calculated by the model are higher.