Atlas of the Oceans: Wind and Wave Climate (Hardbound and CD-ROM Set) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 008042435X ISBN 13: 9780080424354

Publisher: Pergamon, 2005

Synopsis

This volume provides global estimates of wind and wave conditions and is based on data from the GEOSAT satellite. Parameters such as monthly values of wind speed and wave heights are presented as contour fields in global and regional charts. Variations in wind and wave parameters are also shown along common shipping routes and lines of latitude and longitude.

The Atlas includes a useful reference text, providing an introduction to global meteorology and the processes responsible for the generation of ocean waves. In addition, information relating to the GEOSAT mission, data preparation and validation, and wind/wave statistics provide a full summary of the background to this major new publication.

Global estimates of wind and wave conditions are required for activities such as engineering design, oceanographic and meteorological studies, ship routing and recreational activities. This publication will appeal to a wide range of readers from scientists and engineers, educators and students, to readers in shipping companies and navies.

A CD-ROM based on this material, providing searchable text is also available.

This CD-ROM is based on material presented in the book version of Atlas of the Oceans: Wind and Wave Climate. The CD-ROM provides searchable text-based information on global wind and wave regimes, including an introduction to global meteorology and ocean wind waves, and preparation of data gathered from the GEOSAT satellite. An extensive bibliography of over 500 abstracts from the scientific literature is included. The database of wind and wave parameters can be interactively accessed to produce contour charts with global and regional coverage.

Of considerable importance to anyone interested in wind and waves statistics is the underlying GEOSAT data. The raw GEOSAT data has been processed to eliminate errors and to calibrate measurements with in situ readings. The Atlas of the Oceans: Wind and Wave Climate therefore provides a ready-to-use database on wind and wave parameters.

Additional features included on the CD-ROM are:

Text and illustrations

· Hyperlinking allows quick and easy-access to related information, such as abstracts or illustrations

· Full text and index searching

· Additional bibliography of over 500 abstracts related to wind and waves

· Animation of selected line drawings

· Additional images

· Videos of Beaufort Scale

Contour charts

· User can select region, month and parameter for display of charts

· Charts can be overlaid with wind direction and/or grids of latitude and longitude

· Options to set chart colours and degree of data smoothing

Database

· Underlying data can be selected and accessed

· Conversion between units of measurement available

Path function

· Enables user to input and label path of interest (eg. ship route)

· Provides plotting facilities

· Calculates distance using Great Circle Path

Bookmark function

· Allows selection and export of user-defined text, illustrations, charts, and data to assist with report writing or in lecture preparation

About the Atlas

Global and regional estimates of wind and wave conditions are required for a large range of activities such as engineering design, oceanographic and meteorological studies, for ship routing and for recreational purposes. The Atlas of the Oceans: Wind and Wave Climate is based on data from the GEOSAT satellite mission. The approach of using remotely sensed data has many advantages - the data is of high spatial density and accuracy, and has a full global coverage, unlike measurements collected from ships and buoys used previously.

Includes a useful reference text providing an introduction to global meteorology and the processes responsible for the generation of ocean waves. In addition, more in-depth information relating to the GEOSAT mission, to data preparation and validation, and to wind and wave statistics for the main ocean basins provides a comprehensive background to this field.

The underlying satellite data has been processed to provide a database of considerable value, and this is available in the CD-ROM of the Atlas. The parameters are monthly values for wind speed, wind direction, and wave height as well as exceedence possibilities for wave height and wind speed. These are presented as contour fields in global and regional charts. Variations in these parameters are also shown along common shipping routes and lines of latitude and longitude.

About this title

About the Author:

Ian Young's research interests include theoretical, numerical and experimental aspects of wind waves, ocean remote sensing and coastal processes. Awarded the Queen's Fellowship in Marine Sciences in 1984 and the Lorenz G. Straub Medal for research in hydraulic engineering in 1986, Professor Young's professional experience has been gained at the Max-Planck-Institut für Meteorologie in Hamburg, Germany, at James Cook University in Australia and at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, USA.

A world authority in meteorology, Dr Holland is the Chairman for the World Meteorological Organization's Commission for Atmospheric Science Working Group on Tropical meteorology and is a member of the TOGA COARE Science Panel. He has a wide range of experience in publishing as author and editor of numerous books and research journals.

Review:

This extremely detailed and carefully researched book provides perhaps the best overview of the heights and frequency of waves. Given modern satellite measurement as well as visual estimation, the conclusions are undoubtly more accurate than anything that has gone before....This book and CD lay out the odds in great detail. A very interesting and useful reference that should settle a number of arguments.
Work Boat World

About this edition

• Publisher: Pergamon
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 008042435X
• ISBN 13: 9780080424354
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 246
• Editor: Young I., Holland G.