Theoretical Interpretation of Fetch Limited Wind–driven Sea Observations

Among field studies of wind-generated surface gravity waves on deep water, the case of a fetch limited wave growth is of special importance. This case is characterized by a constant (in space and time) offshore wind at a normal angle to the straight coastline. Under these idealized conditions, the wave field depends only on the fetch x which is defined as a distance from the shoreline. Highly interesting data sets of field observations are available, for example, from the following studies.