What are ocean surface waves?
Q: What are ocean surface waves?
A: Ocean surface waves are waves that occur in the upper layer of the ocean, usually resulting from wind.
Q: How are some ocean surface waves made?
A: Some ocean surface waves are made by geologic effects like earthquakes or vulcanicity.
Q: What is the range in size of ocean surface waves?
A: Ocean surface waves range in size from small ripples to huge tsunamis.
Q: Is there actual forward motion of individual water particles in an unbroken wave?
A: Despite the large amount of energy and momentum it may carry forward, there is little actual forward motion of individual water particles in an unbroken wave.
Q: What happens to a wave when it hits shallow water?
A: When a wave hits shallow water, it "breaks" because the bottom moves more slowly than the top.
Q: What causes a wave to break when it hits shallow water?
A: A wave breaks when it hits shallow water because the bottom moves more slowly than the top.
Q: How far can some ocean surface waves travel before striking land?
A: Some ocean surface waves can travel thousands of miles before striking land.
