A data set of sea surface stereo images to resolve space-time wave fields

Abstract

Stereo imaging of the sea surface elevation provides unique field data to investigate the geometry and dynamics of oceanic waves. Typically, this technique allows retrieving the 4-D ocean topography (3-D space + time) at high frequency (up to 15–20 Hz) over a sea surface region of area ~10 ⁴ m ². Stereo data fill the existing wide gap between sea surface elevation time-measurements, like the local observation provided by wave-buoys, and large-scale ocean observations by satellites. The analysis of stereo images provides a direct measurement of the wavefield without the need of any linear-wave theory assumption, so it is particularly interesting to investigate the nonlinearities of the surface, wave-current interaction, rogue waves, wave breaking, air-sea interaction, and potentially other processes not explored yet. In this context, this open dataset aims to provide, for the first time, valuable stereo measurements collected in different seas and wave conditions to invite the ocean-wave scientific community to continue exploring these data and to contribute to a better understanding of the nature of the sea surface dynamics.

Abstract

Measurement(s)	stereo image • wave height • peak wave period • wave direction
Technology Type(s)	Camera Device • computational modeling technique
Factor Type(s)	geographic location
Sample Characteristic - Environment	sea surface layer
Sample Characteristic - Location	Black Sea • Adriatic Sea • Yellow Sea • Iroise Sea

Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12181158