For the first time, researchers have measured long river waves, termed flow waves, using a satellite. This breakthrough, announced on May 14, utilizes the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, aiding in the study of rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Notable findings from rivers like the Colorado, Ocmulgee, and Yellowstone highlight significant wave lengths and their potential origins tied to storm events or dam breaks, fostering an advanced means to predict flood dynamics and their risks to infrastructure.
"We're learning more about the shape and speed of flow waves, and how they change along long stretches of river," said Hana Thurman, the paper's lead author.
SWOT yielded a lot of data about river waves, showing their location and elevation and helping the researchers estimate their length.
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