Why are waves on the pacific ocean larger than waves on the atlantic?

Question

Why are waves on the pacific ocean larger than waves on the atlantic?

In: Other

Answer 1

Wave energy comes from the wind (or mostly from wind). In general, unless there is a hurricane or tropical storm, the winds that go over North and South America go from west to east. Air comes over the pacific coast from the ocean. Air goes over the Atlantic coast from land (most of the time). The water on the Atlantic coast is being blown “away” from the land.