Summary:
- The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, a joint mission between NASA and the French space agency CNES, has captured the first-ever images of large-scale river waves.
- These waves, known as "undular bores," are caused by tidal forces and can travel hundreds of kilometers upstream, affecting water levels and flow patterns in major rivers.
- Understanding these river waves is important for monitoring water resources, predicting flooding, and studying the impact of climate change on river systems.