Types of Ocean Surface Waves, Wave Classification

Abstract

AbstractThe overall oscillatory motion on the ocean surface is a combination of a large variety of different types of waves. All these waves are primarily classified according to the generation and restoring mechanisms, which induce oscillations within a wide band of periods and associated wavelengths. The resulting waves and induced motion through the water column affect a large number of marine processes and engineering activities that take place on the surface and in the most superficial sublayers of ocean. These include the exchange of heat and gases, ocean mixing, transport of sediment, coastal morphology, seakeeping, offshore engineering, and renewable energy among many others. A description of the different types of ocean surface waves and their concurrent classification is presented.