HF Radar Ocean Wave and Current Data for South Australian Gulfs

Delayed-mode HF radar data covers approximately 40,000 square kilometres bounded by Kangaroo Island and the Eyre Peninsula. The WERA phased array system operates at 8.512 MHz with a maximum range of 200 km, measuring surface currents, wind directions, and significant wave height. Data collection was supported by the South Australia Research and Development Institute.

Use Cases

• Model coastal current dynamics based on HF radar surface current measurements
• Analyze wave drift and mixing processes based on significant wave height and wind direction data
• Study cross-shelf exchange and upwelling systems based on the described regional dynamics
• Assess environmental impacts on aquaculture and fisheries based on the described circulation and wave data

Strengths

• Coverage area of approximately 40,000 square kilometres
• HF radar system operates at 8.512 MHz with a maximum range of 200 km
• Data includes surface currents, wind directions, and significant wave height

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified

Provenance

Source

AODN

Collection Method

Data collected by a WERA phased array HF radar system with 16-element receive arrays at Cape Wiles and Cape Spencer.

Geography

South Australian gulfs region bounded by Kangaroo Island to the east and the Eyre Peninsula to the north.