The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Global Internal Solitary Waves Revealed by SWOT
ID:993 Oral Presentation

2027-01-14 15:35 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 9 - Ocean Dynamics in the SWOT Era: New Methods, Discoveries, Insights and Challenges

Abstract
Internal solitary waves (ISWs) are powerful underwater disturbances that can vertically displace water by over 200 meters, driving ocean mixing and affecting offshore engineering. Yet, their global distributions and vertical imprints remain poorly characterized. Traditional satellite sensors are constrained by cloud cover or limited sampling. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission provides near-continuous, cloud-independent ocean observations at unprecedented resolution. Here, we develop an artificial intelligence framework to automatically detect ISWs worldwide. Using 29 SWOT orbital cycles (July 2023 to March 2025), this study reveals a global map of ISW distribution and amplitude variations, identifying energetic hotspots and distinct seasonal and tidal variations. These findings provide insights into ISW dynamics and offer a foundation for assessing their role in global energy redistribution and ocean-climate interactions.
 
Speaker
Xudong Zhang Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Author
Xudong Zhang Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027