Wave+sizes

Everyone knows what a wave is. Not many people know what causes them are why they are the size that they are. The answer to both of those questions is actually very simple. A wave is a disturbance in a solid, liquid or a gas. The energy is transmitted through a medium. Waves are cause by wind and the energy from the sun. The energy from the sun hitting the ocean forms waves. They aren't huge massive "gnarly" waves but they cause little "ripples" as more wind blows over the ocean those small ripples become bigger and bigger with time.

There are 3 main factors that help you determine the size of a wave. One of those factors is the speed of the wind. Like I mentioned before, the more wind the more energy and the bigger and stronger the wave. The second factor is the length of time that the wind blows and the third is fetch. "Fetch" is the distance that wind blows accross an area. Wind is obviously a very important factor to the ocean and it's properties.