Why does the ocean have waves even when it’s calm?
In: Planetary Science
At sea we usually distinguish between two main types of waves: wind waves and swell
Wind waves is formed here and now, size and direction directly correlating to the current wind direction and speed (check Beaufort scale)
These waves keeps going until they are interrupted ie by land. That means a wave started far away in a storm yesterday might reach you today, as swell. These waves are typically longer and deeper than the same wind wave, as waves stretch out over time. Swell can have any size and direction, it may or may not correlate with the wind direction and speed
Source: navigational officer of large container ships
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