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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Measurements of Waves in a Wind-wave Tank Under Steady and Time-varying Wind Forcing
Published on: February 13, 2018
Global trends in wind speed and wave height
I R Young1, S Zieger, A V Babanin
1Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ir.young@anu.edu.au
Global climate change is increasing oceanic wind speeds and wave heights. Extreme weather events show a faster rate of increase than average conditions, impacting ocean dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography and Climate Science
- Satellite Remote Sensing
Background:
- Climate change research often focuses on temperature, neglecting other crucial oceanic factors.
- Oceanic wind speed and surface gravity waves significantly influence climate dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate global trends in oceanic wind speed and wave height using satellite data.
- To analyze changes over a 23-year period, including extreme events.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 23-year database of calibrated and validated satellite altimeter measurements.
- Analyzed global oceanic wind speed and wave height data.
Main Results:
- Observed a general global trend of increasing wind speed over the 23-year period.
- Detected a lesser, but still significant, increase in wave height.
- Found that the rate of increase for extreme wind and wave events exceeded that of mean conditions.
Conclusions:
- Oceanic wind speed and wave height are increasing globally, indicating significant climate change impacts.
- The accelerated increase in extreme events suggests heightened risks for coastal and marine environments.
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