Regional and seasonal patterns of stream sediment discharges along New Zealand coasts from skylab and landsat satellite imagery.

Several analytical techniques used on both conventional colour photographs from SKYLAB and the LANDSAT MSS data—in both photographic and magnetic digital tape formats—provide useful sources of information about regional and seasonal patterns of stream sediment discharges along New Zealand coasts. The large area synoptic views from space are superior to aircraft photomosaics. The green visible band (500-600 nm) is the most useful for sediment studies. Band 7 (0.8–1.1 μm) sharply defines land-water interfaces. Digital analysis of small sample areas provides additional quantitative information. Better information about patterns is of potential value in coastal geomorphology, coastal engineering applications, and in coastal ecology.