Author(s): Kuang-An Chang; Vivek Bheeroo; Mu-Jung Lee; Ting-Chu Wu; Alec Torres-Freyermuth; Scott Socolofsky

Linked Author(s): Scott A. Socolofsky

Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Systems; Ocean waves; Ocean currents; Bathymetry; Particle Image Velocimetry; Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

Abstract: Coastal processes play a central role in transporting pollutants and sediment both at the surface and within the water column, with important implications for predicting oil spills and coastal erosion. Ocean waves and near - surface currents are key forcings that must be measured accurately over large spatial scales, while bathymetry serves as a critical boundary condition in these predictions. In this work, we demonstrate the effectiveness of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for remotely sensing dominant wave characteristics and near-surface currents. We also present a method for recovering high -resolution bathymetric maps in the surf zone and inner shelf using UAS imagery alone.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/iahr.proc.ise2026.abs.182

Year: 2026