The distribution, sources, and propagation of internal waves in South China Sea based on satellite remote sensing

Abstract

In this paper, more than 1000 SAR (ENVISAT, ERS-2) and optical (MODIS, HJ-1A/1B) images are used to analyze the distribution, sources and propagation of internal waves in South China Sea. The distribution of internal waves shows that, internal waves mainly occur in three regions of South China Sea: 1) Northern South China Sea, 2) Western South China Sea, 3) Southern South China Sea. Internal waves are observed all year in the South China Sea, most during summer, least in winter. The sources and propagation of internal waves are obtained from the distribution of internal waves. 1) in Northern South China Sea, most internal waves origin in Luzon Strait and propagate westward across Dongsha Island, then some internal waves turn into northwestward, others continue to propagate westward.2) in Western South China Sea, internal waves generate at the shelf, and propagate to the shore or off the shore.3) in Southern South China Sea, internal waves generate at the shelf. Some internal waves propagate to the Kalimantan shore, some propagate southwestward.