Observed deep water wave characteristics off the Indian coasts

Abstract

The results of wave data (wave-rider buoy) collected during 5 cruises during 1986 to 1988 are presented. Digital wave records were subjected to spectral analysis and relevant wave parameters were computed. Significant wave height (Hs) and zero-upcrossing period (Tz) varied between 0.5 to 2.7 m and 4.6 to 9.9 sec respectively, during rough weather season and the corresponding values for the fair weather season are 0.6 to 2 m and 4 to 6.7 sec. Temporal variations of important wave parameters with the prevailing wind conditions reveal very good response between wind and wave activity at the generating area. However, most of the observations were mixture of windseas an swells generated by distant sources and show weak correlation with the wind. The Hs reveals a higher dependence on the ratio between wind speed and wave speed at the peak frequency.