Practicality of VHF-band ocean radar to surface current observation in open sea area

The fundamental characteristics of the high-resolution ocean radar system with the VHF band under severe winter conditions in the open sea area were evaluated through the field observations in Wakasa Bay. As the results, over 60 percentage of the detection ratio of the horizontal currents by the radar was confirmed in the extent of 15km as to the maximum observation range of 25km. The comparison between the current data of the radar and that of the current meter in one-month observation at the close point to Monjyu Power Station showed good correlation with a correlation coefficient over 0.7 and the standard error of 5 to 10cm/s. It was also indicated that the currents from surface to 2.5m below the surface were mainly driven by the wind fluctuation component of the 25.3 hours with the phase of 30 minutes. The ocean surface radar could detect the horizontal current patterns in the irregular current field under the sever weather and oceanic condition, which might largely contribute to comprehend unknown ocean characteristics in an open sea.