Characterization of Wind-Sea and Swell in the South China Sea based on HY-2 Satellite Data

Abstract

Li, S.; Bi, F.; Hou, Y., and Yang, H., 2018. Characterization of wind-sea and swell in the South China Sea based on HY-2 satellite data. In: Wang, D. and Guido-Aldana, P.A. (eds.), Select Proceedings from the 3rd International Conference on Water Resource and Environment (WRE2017). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 84, pp. 58–62. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Utilizing simultaneous measurements of sea surface wind speed from the Chinese HY-2 satellite scatterometer and significant wave height from its altimeter, the wind-sea and swell in the South China Sea (SCS) for the period 2012–2013 were characterized, based on a statistical-based swell probability (SP) index and a physical-based wave age (WA) index. The two indexes were higher in the central sea (SP > 0.5, WA > 1.4), where mixed wave conditions dominate, while the wind-sea was more common (SP 17° N) and southern SCS (latitude <12° N) were more prominent than in the middle SCS. These results may have practical applications in coastal engineering design, wave forecasting and various sea going activities.