Characteristics of Short-Period Internal Waves in the Kara Sea in Summer 2022 Based on Satellite Sentinel-1 Data

A. V. Kuzmin, I. E. Kozlov✉

Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS, Sevastopol, Russian Federation

✉ e-mail: ik@mhi-ras.ru

Abstract

Purpose. The study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal variability and characteristics of short-period internal waves in the Kara Sea during summer 2022.

Methods and Results. A total of 374 Sentinel-1A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images acquired from July to September 2022 were analyzed. Processing of these images revealed 2835 surface manifestations of internal waves in the Kara Sea. The highest number of manifestations (1595) was recorded in August, while the lowest (451) occurred in July. Short-period internal waves were rarely observed in shallow coastal zones influenced by strong river runoff. In contrast, they were widespread in the western, southwestern and northwestern parts of the sea, as well as in the Kara Gate and Vilkitsky Straits. Manifestations were detected across extensive areas, including the Central Kara Plateau, deep-water regions and the slopes of the Saint Anna and Novaya Zemlya Troughs. The largest internal wave packets, with areas reaching up to 2000 km2, were observed over the Saint Anna Trough. Packets with leading crest lengths exceeding 100 km2 were recorded near Vize Island.

Conclusions. During the warm season, nonlinear short-period internal waves are generated and propagate over most of the Kara Sea, particularly in areas with rough bottom topography. Some of these regions are also characterized by intense tidal and/or background currents. However, numerous wave packets form even where total current velocities are low (0.1–0.2 m/s). In such cases, the primary factor driving short-period internal wave generation is the presence of irregular bottom relief with sharp depth gradients. The propagation direction of these waves is often aligned with background currents, which exhibit significant seasonal variability in both speed and direction in certain areas.

Keywords

short-period internal waves, generation hotbeds, tidal currents, uneven relief of sea bottom, satellite radar images, Sentinel-1, Kara Sea, Arctic Ocean

Acknowledgements

The analysis of the spatiotemporal variability of internal wave features was conducted within the framework of the state assignment of FSBSI FRC MHI, project No. FNNN‑2024‑0017. The mechanisms of internal wave generation in the Kara Sea were investigated under RSF Grant No. 25-17-00309; https://rscf.ru/project/25-17-00309/.

Original russian text

Original Russian Text © A. V. Kuzmin, I. E. Kozlov, 2025, published in MORSKOY GIDROFIZICHESKIY ZHURNAL, Vol. 41, Iss. 6, pp. 855–871 (2025)

For citation

Kuzmin, A.V. and Kozlov, I.E., 2025. Characteristics of Short-Period Internal Waves in the Kara Sea in Summer 2022 Based on Satellite Sentinel-1 Data. Physical Oceanography, 32(6), pp. 871-886.

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