ESA - Observing the Earth - The world's ocean waves now in one place

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The world's ocean waves now in one place

10 June 2011

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The energy carried by ocean waves is a hindrance to most non-recreational marine activities. Waves slow down the passage of shipping, erode coastlines and endanger marine industries such as oil and gas extraction, aquaculture and off shore wind farms. ESA's GlobWave project provides a one-stop shop for data from a multitude of satellites to improve forecast models on dangerous sea states.

Credits: NOAA

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ESA's GlobWave project has stimulated new developments for the use of synthetic aperture radar data, such as the global analysis of 'cross seas'. Cross seas occur when two sets of waves travelling from different directions cross at an angle of 45° or more. This creates very steep short-crested waves that can be dangerous for shipping.

Credits: CLS

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Through ESA's GlobWave project, synthetic aperture radar data are being used to analyse the occurrence of long waves in the global ocean.

Credits: GlobWave

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Cross seas occur when two sets of waves travelling from different directions overlap and create short-crested waves.

Credits: M. Griffon