Abstract
Airborne radar observations of the Southern Bight of the North Sea have revealed sea-surface patterns that reflect a constructional sea-floor topography of tide-built sand waves and sand ridges. The patterns result from local horizontal differences in the amplitude of water surface waves with wavelengths less than 1 cm. Such modulations result from surface convergences and divergences as the water flows across structures on the ocean floor. Three sand ridges were observed which form a topological series defined by side slope, asymmetry, and sand-wave pattern. Depth appears to be the controlling variable, with shallow water leading to the steepest slopes, most intense asymmetry and the most marked separation of sand waves into ebb and flood dominated domains.
Published Version
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