Ocean bathymetry reconstruction from surface data using hydraulics theory

Abstract

Here we propose a technique that successfully reconstructs ocean bathymetry from the free surface velocity and elevation data. This technique is based on the principles of open-channel hydraulics, according to which a sub-critical flow over a seamount creates a free surface dip. The proposed method recognizes that such free surface dip contains the signature of the bottom topography, hence inverts the free surface to reconstruct the topography accurately. We applied our inversion technique on re-analysis data, and reconstructed the Mediterranean and the Red sea bathymetries of $1/12\degree$ resolution with approximately $90$\% accuracy.