Data Collection

My original goal was to apply the collected wind and bathymetry data to make a simulation of events that occurred while our class was on site.

Bathymetry mapping

The bathymetry mapping system included a boat equipped with a GPS, ground-penetrating radar, and a sub-bottom profiler, see image below.

• The ground-penetrating radar uses an electromagnetic wave to image the bottom profile of the harbor area.  This is similar to taking an X-ray image, but instead of being in the ultraviolet and gamma ray wave length range, it is in the microwave range.
• The sub-bottom profiler uses acoustic waves to produce an image of the bathymetry, similar to an ultrasound image.
• The GPS records the latitude and longitude so it is possible to map out the locations of the different water depths recorded by the ground-penetrating radar and sub-bottom profiler.

Wind anemometer

The wind anemometer was used to collect information on wind direction and velocity.  The wind anemometer was attached to a data logger which saved this information.  Below is a picture of the wind anemometer and me at the harbor inlet.