Non-linear internal waves in the Banda Sea on satellite synthetic aperture radar and visible images

Comprehensive study of non-linear internal waves (IWs) in the Banda Sea was carried out. IWs were detected on quick look and full-resolution SAR images acquired by ERS-1, ERS-2, Envisat and ALOS as well as on Terra and Aqua MODIS and Landsat ETM images. IWs were generated by a sill between Alor and Atauro Islands in Ombai Strait connecting the Banda Sea with the Savu Sea. The IWs form packets, propagating northward into the Banda Sea and have the classic appearance of rank ordered non-linear waves that depress the pycnocline. The length of the wave packets reached 100 km and more and packets could consist of 15-20 and more solitons. The maximum wavelength was approximately 12-15 km. The phase speeds of the waves varied from approximately 2.2 m s^-1 to 3.1 m s^-1 for the leading solitons in the packets. Wave crests in the packets formed semicircles, the length of which exceeded 350 km.