Meteorology · Waves — Generation
The height of wind-generated waves (sea) depends primarily on which three factors?
- ALatitude, time of day, and moon phase
- BWater depth, salinity, and temperature
- CBarometric pressure, humidity, and tide
- DWind speed, duration the wind blows, and fetch (distance over which it blows)✓ Correct
Explanation
Sea-wave height grows with wind speed, the duration the wind has blown, and the fetch over which it acts. When all three are large enough that waves stop growing, the sea is 'fully developed' for that wind speed.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9), wind waves; WMO
Practice the full Meteorology bank
Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.
Related Meteorology questions
- Atmosphere & Pressure
Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately:
- Atmosphere & Pressure
One millibar (mb) is equal to:
- Atmosphere & Pressure
A barometer that is falling rapidly most likely indicates:
- Atmosphere & Pressure
On a surface weather chart, isobars spaced very close together indicate:
- Wind
By convention, a wind is named for:
- Wind
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect deflects moving air: