Study of gulf stream features with a multifrequency polarimetric SAR from the space shuttle

Using simulations of radar cross section (RCS) based on wavecurrent interac tion calculations, we investigate the origin of a prominent enhancement in L-band from signals that were transmitted and received, respectively, with horizontal (H) and vertical (V) polarization radar return. This was observe d in imagery of the northern boundary of the Gulf Stream (GS) during the fi rst Shuttle Radar Laboratory (SRL-1) mission, The calculations of surface r oughness are based on a one-dimensional (1-D) surface current model that cl osely resembles a current shear that was observed in in situ current measur ements, taken at both sides of the GS at the time SRL-1 imaged the GS bound ary. In agreement with trends observed in the imagery, significant enhancem ents in L-band HV polarization cross section occur in the neighborhood of t he GS thermal boundary, relative Do comparable vertical polarization (VV) c ross section signatures at X-, C-, and L-band, We also find reasonably good agreement between the simulated and observed magnitudes of the GS signatur es (based on calculations of wave action) using two different radar imaging models, and we provide an overview of a number of additional submesoscale features associated with the GS that were present in the image of the GS bo undary.