Equilibrium-range constant in wind-generated wave spectra (original) (raw)

Abstract

The equilibrium range in wind-driven wave spectra is characterized to have an f À4 form in deep water (k À5/2 shallow-water form). Absolute energy levels for six physically diverse sites are shown to be well fit by an expression involving the wind speed measured at a fraction of a wavelength above the sea surface in combination with the phase speed of the spectral peak. Observed energy levels suggest that nonlinear wave-wave interactions are capable of maintaining the observed energy-flux balance in the equilibrium range.

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