Signatures of rip currents can be identified in SAR images and aerial photographs of the near-shore. An area on the Portuguese West coast (bathymetry and wave climate of which are briefly described) was studied. An image corresponding to low wind speed conditions is shown, where a series of rip-like cell features are consistent with rip current morphology. A simple model is presented to explain the signatures, based on wind contrast due to the relative water motion within rip currents. The model is discussed for near-threshold wind conditions of Bragg wave excitation.
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da Silva, J.C.B. (2008). SAR Observation of Rip Currents off the Portuguese Coast. In: Barale, V., Gade, M. (eds) Remote Sensing of the European Seas. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6772-3_30
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6772-3_30
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