Topography in intertidal zone by satellite images

Intertidal zone (tidal flat) is a place which is sometimes dry and sometimes wet depending on the tidal rhythm. Direct measurement of topography in the intertidal zone is very difficult to be achieved. The interface between wet and dry parts in the tidal flat, which can be identified from near infrared band of satellite image, is a 'depth contour' which corresponds to the sea level at the time of satellite pass. Aquisition of topography data in tidal flat is possible by combining various techniques such as (1) identification of the interface between wet and dry parts, (2) GCP correction of satellite image, and (3) realtime prediction of sea level elevation at the time of satellite pass. The algorithm was successfully applied in obtaining topography (bathymetry) data in the intertidal zone of Asan Bay in the west coast of Korea from 26 satellite images. The method is expected to be very efficient in making bathymetry data base in the western and southern parts of Korea where tidal flats are well developed in wide regions.