Wavelet transform of SAR images for internal wave detection and orientation

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.