Why in the news?

• The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued extensive advisories for swell waves for coastal India including Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.

Swell Waves

• Definition: Swell waves are long-period waves generated by distant storms or winds blowing over a large expanse of water.
• Characteristics: They have a longer wavelength and travel faster than wind-generated waves, with smoother crests and troughs.
• Formation: Swell waves form when wind energy transfers to the water’s surface, creating a regular and uniform wave pattern.
• Travel: Swell waves can travel across entire ocean basins, maintaining their energy and shape over long distances.
• Impact: They affect coastal areas by influencing surf conditions, beach erosion, and sediment transport, and can contribute to coastal flooding during extreme events.