Measurement of Long-Period, Low-Amplitude Swell in the Western North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Nineteen data buoys in the western North Atlantic and two coastal stations reported 20-s-period swell in August 1990. The source of this very unusual event was traced to a severe storm off the Antarctic continent. This paper provides information on the wave-measuring systems, observations, meteorological conditions that generated the swell, and techniques used to estimate the location of the source of the swell. The swell was measured by different hull types, wave-measuring systems, and electronic payloads. The observations show how wave conditions vary with location and provide data for wave-modeling purposes and research studies.