Initial anal/sis of AN/APQ-97 radar imagery over eastern Panama was directed toward extraction of geologic and engineering data and the establishment of operational parameters. Subsequent investigations emphasized landform identifi¬cation and vegetation distribution, accompanied by an analysis of the parameters effecting the observed return signal strength from such features.nOne subject area described but not analyzed by previous investigators was near-shore ocean phenomena. Tidal zone features such as mud flats and reefs are more vividly expressed in the near range whereas they are subdued or non-detectable in the far range. Falloff is also observed within surf zones oriented parallel to range direction. Whereas surface roughness in large part dictates the nature of reflected energy (specular or diffuse), depression angle also appears to be an important factor in return signal intensity for tidal flats, reefs, and surf zones. In surf zones changes in wave train orientation relative to look direction, the slope of the surface and the physical character of the wave must be considered. Furthermore, the establishment of the areal extent of the lidal flats, distributary channels, and reefs appear to be practical only in the near to intermediate range under minimal low tide conditions.
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