Kelvin Waves
All > Science > Weather
- Fluctuations in wind speed at the ocean surface at the Equator result in eastward propagating waves, known as Kelvin Waves. Kelvin Waves cause variations in the depth of the oceanic thermocline, the boundary between warm waters in the upper ocean and cold waters in the deep ocean. They play an important role in monitoring and predicting El Ni&ntild;o episodes.
NOAA National Weather Service - Cite This Source - This Definition - Beach Erosion, Capillary Waves, Gravity wave, Heat Wave, Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves, LGWV, Pressure Induced Wave, Seiche, Tidal Piling, Tidal Wave, Wave Crest, Wave Period, Wave Spectrum, Whitecap, WV