Svergun E.I., Zimin A.V., Lazutkina E.S.
The spatial and temporal variability of the characteristics of surface manifestations of short-period internal waves in the water area of the Kuril-Kamchatka region, obtained from the analysis of satellite images of the Sentinel‐1 radar for the summer period of 2019, is studied. 205 satellite images revealed 927 manifestations of internal wave packets containing from 3 to 18 waves perpacket. The wavelengths inside the packet ranged from 80 to 1900 meters, with an average value of 400 meters. The front of the leading crest of the waves packet measured from 2 to 70 km, averaging 14 km. The minimum number of waves was registered in the first half of June, and the maximum — in the first half of July. Areas of constant occurrence of internal waves manifestations in summer are identified: in the southern part of the Kuril ridge (near the Islands of Kunashir and Zeleny), near the Pacific coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula (Kamchatka and Kronotsky Bays). The region of frequent occurrence of internal waves in the middle and Northern parts of the Kuril Ridge (over the Vityaz Ridge in the area of Onekotan and Matua Islands) is also highlighted, the intensity of wave manifestations in which is subject to strong intra-seasonal variability. In all the noted generation centers, two predominant directions of wave packet propagation are distinguished: to the East and to the West. Specific examples using optical images from the Landsat‐8 Spectroradiometer show that internal waves in the Kuril-Kamchatka region can be generated by both tidal dynamics and vortex structures.
