The generation of waves by wind

Abstract

This paper describes an investigation of the height and length of ocean waves and swell in relation to the strength, extent and duration of the wind in the generating area, and the subsequent travel of the swell through calm and disturbed water. The investigation is based on records of waves made on the north coast of Cornwall, in the Irish Sea and in Lough Neagh. It is a practical continuation of the work of Barber & Ursell (1948), who showed that the waves leaving the generating area behave as a continuous spectrum of component wave trains which travel independently with the group velocities appropriate to their periods. The spectral distribution of energy in the storm area is considered, and the relative amplitudes of the different components are deduced empirically under various wind conditions. The results indicate that the wave characteristics become practically independent of fetch after 200 to 300 miles, and that in the equilibrium condition the steepness of the highest waves is inversely proportional to the square root of the wind speed. Some theoretical foundation can be found for the form of the empirical relationships if it is assumed that the wind acts on each wave component independently, and that the sheltering coefficient used by Jeffreys is proportional to the wave steepness. The results provide a basis for making reasonably accurate predictions of waves and swell from meteorological charts and forecasts.