3. Where do waves come from? 



The commonly seen waves on the surface are caused principally by 

 wind. However, submarine earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tides 

 also cause waves. 



A breeze of less than 2 knots (2 nautical miles per hour) can form 

 ripples. As the wind speed increases, larger more visible waves form. 

 The wave height in feet usually will not be more than half the wind 

 speed in miles per hour, although individual waves may be higher. 



As long as the wind blows consistently from the same direction, the 

 waves are referred to as sea. When the wind stops or changes direction, 

 the waves that continue in a direction different from that of the local 

 winds are called swell. 



Bowditch, Nathaniel 



American Practical Navigator, U. S. Naval Oceanographic Office, 



1958. 

 Gaskell, T. F. 



World Beneath the Oceans, American Museum of Natural History, 



1964. 

 Miller, Robert C. 



The Sea, Random House, 1966. 



