Oceanography

Difference between surface and long waves

Surface waves are wind driver waves, they are also called capillary waves. These are tiny waves that result from forces of wind friction and surface tension.In the wind generated waves the surface tension provides the restoring force necessary to cause them to propagate. These waves have shorter wave lengths of about 1.73cm.

Longer waves have longer wave lengths and these waves travels faster than surface waves. These are found in water deeper than ½ their wavelengths and are also called deep water waves.