Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#86247 11/08/02 02:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
A spelling bee word that for once is very interesting. I remember seeing on Internet an artice
about boating hazards. A seiche is a "rogue" wave that can seriously endanger small craft
without warning. And on occasion, the wake of one fast power boat may without warning
unpredictably seriously endanger others. Aso at times they may cause serious damage to
shorefront property.

Dear Bean: you might wish to elaborate on this.
seiche
n.
5< Swiss-Fr6 a natural, standing wave in the water of a lake, bay, etc., caused by changes in atmospheric pressure, seismic disturbances, winds, waves, tides, etc.: it continues after the generating force stops





#86248 11/08/02 03:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
B
old hand
Offline
old hand
B
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
Seiche is always explained in introductory books as similar to a "bathtub wave". You know, if you get the water sloshing around just right in the bathtub, then stop moving, the water will continue to slosh for a while, and the sloshing will have a big amplitude. My profs have some interesting pics and data on a seiche from a couple of years ago that occurred here. I don't know if they found out what caused it. But the water level in one photos rose several metres very quickly - making it a bit of a worry for people with houses close to the water! They are often caused by earthquakes, I think, though there can be other causes. It's a resonance phenomenon - that is, it depends on the frequency of the force causing it to match the "natural" frequency of oscillation (based on size and depth) in the bay where it occurs. It's a type of standing wave, where the wavelength, or a multiple of the wavelength, exactly matches the length of the bay/pond/lake in question.



Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,318
Members9,182
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 775 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,535
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5