Current analysis on the observations of sand wave SAR images in Taiwan shoal

Statistical analysis on observations of submarine sand wave SAR images in Taiwan shoal and their relationships with sea surface current are discussed. A total of 69 SAR images over 11 years are collected and 496 profiles of sand wave SAR images are used, the sea surface current calculated form high-frequency (HF) radar system are utilized for the study on the relationships between observations of sand wave SAR images and the current speed. Results show the submarine sand waves in Taiwan Shoal are mainly distributed from 117.75°E to 118.70°E and 22.7°N to 23.35°N with a high percent. The comparison between monthly mean sea surface current speed and sand waves observed by SAR also shows a strong correlation between both, which is higher wind current speed, the higher probability of sand waves observed by SAR. This may indicate that the higher observation of the sand waves by SAR is partly due to sea surface currents