What Is the Bottom of a Wave Called?
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The bottom of a wave, or a low spot between waves, is referred to as the trough, while the top of a wave is referred to as the crest. As waves elevate, the force of gravity pulls them back down, causing the crest of a new wave to form.
Most waves are caused by steady winds or in storm centers. In a storm’s center, waves of different sizes and lengths occur at once. As the waves travel outward from the center of the storm, they become more predictable because the longer wavelengths travel at a faster rate than the shorter wavelengths. Long wavelengths that are spaced out and predictable are referred to as swells.
