Case Studies of SST Variability Derived from AQUA/AMSR-E Satellite Data Near the Sumatra Region Frequently Affected by Under-Sea Earthquakes

ABSTRACT

A real-time computer model has been developed to monitor Sea Surface Temperature (SST) focussing on specific latitude-longitude grids of interest. The model uses the daily binary file data from AQUA/AMSRE satellite sensors made available through website. The main purpose of the case studies is to explore and demonstrate possibility of any SST anomalies before, during and after the two great earthquakes of 26 December 2004 and 28 March 2005 that occurred near the western coast of Sumatra. The code is used to analyse and plot SST contour maps and time sequence of average SST deviations from the long-term means pertaining to grid sizes of 2° x 2° and 6° x 6° sea surface areas around the epicentres of these two earthquakes. The results indicate a small but significant warming of 0.2-0.3 °C in the 2° x 2° grid area starting a week earlier to a week later for the event date of 26 December 2004. Similarly the 28 March 2005 earthquake shows temporal changes in the mean SST anomalies but with reduced clarity due to limitation of data. Wavelet analysis brings out more details of the time sequence of the inherent power spectra. Such computer aided analysis and approach may be useful in other fields like El Nino induced monsoon rainfall, patterns of climate change, distribution of atmospheric pollutants and aerosols over oceans.

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