Abstract
Qualitative site reconnaissance from satellite imagery offers critical insights about shallow-water areas, including coastal zones, river deltas, estuaries, lakes, ponds, etc. This information is critical when considering proposed sites for new infrastructure. Whether a ports and harbor project, fiber-optic cable landing site, offshore pipeline or power cable landing for a new offshore wind development, identifying potential hazards or constraints saves time and money. Using 2D raw global coverage satellite imagery, it is possible to create 3D seabed geomorphologic deliverables for preliminary shallow water hazard and site assessment. This approach has been used in 145 Countries on 2,200 projects over the past 07 years. Because underlying data deliverables are sourced from 2D optical satellite imagery, assessments are limited to 10-20 m water depth, dependent on the atmospheric and water quality conditions. Archived images can deliver a 10-year historical analysis, offering valuable insights to seabed changes over time. Deliverables of this technique comprise a series of satellite images, referred to as 4D seabed surface morphology (4DSSM) image technology. Deliverables are offered at two precision levels. Level 1 involves 6300-plus TB of global coverage imagery available in archives, where 10 m ground resolution 3D image deliverables enable shallow-water seabed assessments. Level 2 involves 10-plus PB of global coverage imagery available in archives, where 30-70 cm ground resolution 3D image deliverables enable shallow-water seabed assessments (needing higher resolution localized analysis), depending on site specific requirements. While true depths are not determinable from optical imagery, qualitative information on hazards and changes in sedimentation distribution patterns, uncharted seabed hazards, existing seabed infrastructure and other constraints are easily identified, providing a valuable tool for nearshore vessel activity and infrastructure development needs. Satellite imagery is an effective tool for qualitative site reconnaissance in the shallow water coastal zones. As offshore development becomes more prevalent, accurate seabed mapping is crucial. While nautical charts were once the primary source of information about the seabed, these data are often outdated and inadequate to inform early planning of new offshore developments. Advanced satellite-based mapping techniques can provide up-to-date seabed morphology data for advanced planning and decision-making on offshore projects.
