Estimating wave height using the difference in percentile coastal sound level

• Coastal sound level can be easily measured.
• Coastal sound level at the sandy beach was used for estimating wave height.
• The difference in percentile coastal sound level is an accurate parameter for estimating wave height.

This study investigated the correlation between sound level and wave height using field experiments conducted from July 14, 2009, to November 2, 2009, at the Hasaki coast in Ibaraki, Japan. We modeled wave height using the observed data from the first half of the study period to calibrate our model, and validated it using wave height from the latter half of the study period. Based on our results, we propose a model for estimating wave height using sound level and differences in sound level. The model predicted wave height with good accuracy (R = 0.87), and accurately described wave heights during the validation time period (R = 0.87). By comparing field data and each of the parameters utilized, it is clear that percentile sound level is a more accurate parameter for estimating wave height.