Automatic Estimation of Nearshore Wave Height from Video Timestacks

In this paper a new method for the measurement of near-shore wave height from a digital video sequence is presented. The method identifies the location of the main wave break zones and then detects shoaling waves inside the detected break zone and estimate their heights. A geometric rectification is then used to convert the height measurement from image pixels to metres. Validation of the algorithm against conventional wave height measuring methods, such as a KG7WW3 indicates that the method has the potential of providing a cheap and effective alternative for existing near-shore wave height estimation methods.