sea waves

Waves on the sea surface are generated by the action of the wind.



The rougher the water becomes, the easier it is for the wind to transfer its energy:



Since all the other impoerant things are too long (for me) to explain (in English), see here:

Oceanography: waves

Another good site:

Waves

a good book to learn more about the poetic mysteries of the sea is "the sea around us" by rachel carson.

in the book she writes that a wave crashing on the shore began many many miles out at sea. i can't remember the exact amout, but i recall it was impressive-- 1000 miles, maybe. anyway, it's a really good book.