Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 12, 2026

Edge wave

In fluid dynamics, an edge wave is a surface gravity wave fixed by refraction against a rigid boundary, often a shoaling beach. Progressive edge waves travel along this boundary, varying sinusoidally along it and diminishing exponentially in the offshore direction.

Last revised
Jul 12, 2026
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≈ 1 min
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Example of the surface elevation of a progressive edge wave source ↗

In fluid dynamics, an edge wave is a surface gravity wave fixed by refraction against a rigid boundary, often a shoaling beach. Progressive edge waves travel along this boundary, varying sinusoidally along it and diminishing exponentially in the offshore direction.1

References

References

  1. Lamb, Horace (1932), Hydrodynamics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 446, ISBN 0-521-45868-4 {{citation}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
Further reading

Further reading