Wavelet transform of SAR images for internal wave detection and orientation

Abstract

An efficient computational framework for the extraction of mesoscale features, i.e. internal waves, present in SAR images is discussed. A method for coastline detection based on a sequence of basic-processing procedures followed by a contour tracing algorithm is also introduced in order to obtain sea-land separation to enhance the internal wave detection problem. The utility of wavelet analysis as a tool for automatic oceanic internal wave detection and orientation from SAR images is examined using the 2-D wavelet transform based on the local modulus maxima. We show that the evolution of wavelet local maxima across scales characterize the local shape of these quasi-linear structures. The results from this study show that wavelet analysis is an excellent tool to detect internal waves from satellite images against internal wave lookalikes.