Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1979
Abstract
This paper includes a dctailcd analysis of coastal water color as seen in two Apollo-Soyuz photographs of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts. The color of the photographs enabled the recognition natural of light, blue-grcen areas marking shoals and sus- pended sediments; patterns that delineate sedi- ment transport by| longshore drift; light-colored striations on the water surface thal are interpreted as wind streaks; and several series of crests and roughs with 3-km wavelengihs thal are believed to be manifestations of internal ocean waves, par- ticularly off Cape Cod. igh-altitude NASA aircraft obtained color and multispectral photographs of the same arca at the ime of acquisition of the orbital photographs, The aircraft datu were compared with the spacccraft photographs as well as with available bathymetric ;harts. These comparisons showed that the high- ltitude photographs are necessary for detailed analyses, whereas the spacecraft photographs are useľu] a comprehensive study ofal large area. The resolution of high-al titude photographs enabled detailed comparisons with bathymetric charts. These comparisons resulted in the recogni- tion of numerous changes in the coastlines since he charts were made. The rates of change per year were calculated; these agreed with published data where ground-truth studies were made. In general, the bathymetric charts ol this region were found ta be good, and| their features correspond well to thosc on the aerial photographs, However, greater detail was seen in the photographs because of the size of the chart contour intervals An altempt was made lo quantily the reflec- region. This tance values coastal watcrs done through the use of a "Datacolor/Edge Enhancer Syslem." Relative intensity profiles were made in which pcaks represented bright beach snd and troughs corresponded to vegetated anonode occan watcr, Beiween these , lighter colored coastal waters gencrated aks. However, without ground tiale remans rlative, Absolut m fadlen CIC, could be cur aTely determined.
Recommended Citation
Tisdall, T. and El-Baz, Farouk. 1979. "Analysis of Water Color as Seen in Orbotal and Aerial Photographa of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts." In Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Summary Science Report. Volume II: Earth Observations and Photography, NASA SP-412. El-Baz, Farouk and Warner, Delia M., editors. 455–503. Washington, D.C.: NASA Scientific and Technical Information Branch.