Sun glitter imagery of surface waves. Part 2: Waves transformation on ocean currents

Under favorable imaging conditions, the Sentinel‐2 Multi‐Spectral Instrument (MSI) can provide spectacular and novel quantitative ocean surface wave directional measurements in satellite Sun Glitter Imagery (SSGI). Owing to a relatively large‐swath with high‐spatial resolution (10 m), ocean surface roughness mapping capabilities, changes in ocean wave energy, and propagation direction can be precisely quantified at very high resolution, across spatial distances of 10 km and more. This provides unique opportunities to study ocean wave refraction induced by spatial varying surface currents. As expected and demonstrated over the Grand Agulhas current area, the mesoscale variability of near‐surface currents, documented and reconstructed from satellite altimetry, can significantly deflect in‐coming south‐western swell systems. Based on ray‐tracing calculations, and unambiguously revealed from the analysis of Sentinel‐2 MSI SSGI measurements, the variability of the near‐surface current explains significant wave‐current refraction, leading to wave‐trapping phenomenon and strong local enhancement of the total wave energy. In addition to its importance for wave modeling and hazard prediction, these results open new possibilities to combine different satellite measurements and greatly improve the determination of the upper ocean mesoscale vorticity motions. Key Points Satellite Sun Glitter Imagery (SSGI) provides unique opportunities to study ocean wave refraction on surface currents As demonstrated, Grand Agulhas current, reconstructed from satellite altimetry, can significantly deflect in‐coming swell systems Ray‐tracing calculations and SSGI unambiguously reveal the wave‐trapping phenomenon leading to strong enhancement of swell energy