Estimation of ocean depths off Goa coast using ERS-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar

ERS-1 borne Synthetic Aperture Radar image data over Goa region of Indian west coast were analysed. Deep water ocean gravity waves approaching the coasts revealed refraction processes. Wave parameters in deep and shallow waters, estimated through Fast Fourier Techniques, were interrelated through dispersion relationship to yield depth values near the coast. On comparison with the charted depths, the remotely sensed depths were found to have less than 15% deviation on an average, indicating potential use of this technique for large area depth mapping and monitoring.