Observation of Nearshore Wave Field with X-Band Radar : A robust and inexpensive technique for nearshore monitoring

Linear estimates of hydrodynamic and morpho-dynamic parameters during passage of different storms were analysed and are explained in this book to demonstrate the potential of radar measurement in capturing essential characteristics of coastal dynamics. Radar image provides instantaneous distribution of wave crests, with image sequence comprising a clear spatial and temporal variation of the wave pattern. A sequence of radar images was used to estimate water depths using linear dispersion relationship. Analyses on radar echo images were done to estimate temporal and spatial variation of water fronts by digitizing time stack images. Longshore distribution of mean shoreline positions and inter-tidal foreshore slopes were also estimated using time averaged images. Wave run-up was estimated from the digitized water fronts with the help of foreshore profile. The study will provide better understandings about radar imagery in nearshore areas. The book is design for lay readers to advanced researchers. Lay readers will get information about radar images, its structures and simple modelling techniques, whereas the researchers will be benefited in detailed estimation of nearshore parameters.