In fluid dynamics, the wave height of a surface wave is the difference between the elevations of a crest and a neighbouring trough. Wave height is a term used by mariners, as well as in coastal, ocean and naval engineering.
At sea, the term significant wave height is used as a means to introduce a well-defined and standardized statistic to denote the characteristic height of the random waves in a sea state. It is defined in such a way that it more–or–less corresponds to what a mariner observes when estimating visually the average wave height.
Read more about Wave Height: Several Definitions For Different Situations, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words wave and/or height:
“I hear
the tide turning. Last
eager wave over-
taken and pulled back
by first wave of the ebb.”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)
“The height of cleverness is being able to conceal it.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)