JMEE Home · Issue Contents · Forthcoming Papers

The Distribution Characteristics of Wave in Northern Part of South China Sea Based on Measured Data
Song Yuze, Luo Feng, Li Chao, Yang Lei, Deng Kai and Cai Fuhong

With one-year wave observation data in the northern part of the South China Sea, this study adopted statistical analysis and employed the least squares method to accurately establish the relationships between various wave parameters. It provides an in-depth analysis of the wave characteristics in the outer sea and, using the severe tropical storm ‘Jebi’ as a case study, investigates the wave dynamics during the typhoon period. The findings reveal that both the predominant and strong wave directions in the study area are oriented towards the east. Monthly H max ranges from 3.79 to 9.65 m, with an average significant wave height (H_1/3) of 1.2 m and the maximum significant wave height of 4.97 m. Moreover, the wave distribution in this sea area closely follows a Rayleigh distribution. The relationship between the significant wave period(T_1/3) and H_1/3 is accurately described by the equation: T_1/3 = 1.24H_1/3 + 3.75. During ‘Jebi’, there is an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease in both wave height and period, with the maximum period reaching 10 seconds, showing a bimodal wave pattern. The primary wave type observed in the study area is wind wave, and the evolution of wave type during typhoon period includes transitions from mixed wave to wind wave and back to mixed wave. These findings serve as valuable references for ocean engineering and numerical wave simulation.

Keywords: wave; wave observation, wave analysis, wave characteristics, wave type