1. Page 1

2. Oce
an
Simply defined as any
Wav
disturbance created
when energy moves
es
through an object or
e.g. Earthquakes,
substance.
ocean waves, radio
waves, visible light
waves, and
atmospheric waves.
Page 2

3. Ocean waves have several
distinct parts as
diagrammed in the figure
below:
Page 3

4. The wave crest is the
highest part of the wave
above average water level
The wave trough is the
lowest part of the wave
below average water level
Wave height is the vertical
distance from trough to crest
Page 4

5. Additional
terminologies:
Wave period is the time it
takes for a wave to move a
distance of one wavelength
(expressed in seconds or
minutes)
Wave frequency is the
number of wave crests passing
a fixed point per second Page 5

6. Page 6

7. Page 7

8. The breaking of waves
on the shore is called
surf and the area it
occurs is called the surf
zone.
Page 8

9. Other types of
ocean waves
Internal waves - are waves that
travel within the ocean, not on the
surface.
Seiche (saysh) - is a standing wave
that can occur in any enclosed body
of water.
Tsunami [soo NAHM eez] - large
underwater earthquakes and
landslides that can create huge
waves Page 9

10. Page 10