1. Chapter 14 Section 2 Ocean Waves
Mrs. Mannel
Earth Science

2. Anatomy of a Wave Crest – the highest point of a wave
Trough – the lowest point
Wavelength – the distance from crest to crest OR trough to trough
Wave height – vertical distance from crest to trough

3. Wave Formation & Movement
The energy transferred through waves does not displace water, just the energy
The rising and falling of the water creates circular currents underneath the surface

4. Types of Waves
Deep -water waves are waves that that move in water that is deeper than ½ of their wavelength
When the waves reach water that is shallower than ½ their wavelength, they turn into shallow-water waves

5. Breakers and Surf
The area between the breaker zone and the shore is called the surf
Here is where the undertow is created

6. Types of Waves
Open-ocean waves are sometimes called whitecaps because of their steep crests
They usually form in rough seas in the open ocean and typically do not last long
Swells are formed from calmer winds and have longer wavelengths

7. Tsunamis
Tsunamis are typically formed from earthquakes, but can also happen as a result of volcanic eruptions, landslides, underwater explosions and meteor impacts
They can reach heights of 30 meters

8. 2004 Tsunami

9. Storm Surges
A storm surge is a local rise in sea level as the result of strong winds created by hurricanes
The can reach heights of 8 meters
The storm surge that was created in Hurricane Katrina was around 8 m or 25 feet