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# Why does the ocean have waves? 

##  Waves are created by  energy passing through water, causing it to move in a circular motion.

VIDEO: What are waves? Here's what you need to know in less than a minute. Transcript

The ocean is never still. Whether observing from the beach or a boat,  we expect to see waves on the horizon. Waves are created by energy passing through   water, causing it to move in a circular motion.  However, water does not actually travel in waves. Waves   transmit energy, not water, across the ocean and if not obstructed by anything,  they have the potential to travel across an entire ocean basin.

Waves are most commonly caused by wind. **Wind-driven waves**, or **surface waves**,  are created by the friction between wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean  or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest. These types of waves are found globally across  the open ocean and along the coast.  

More potentially hazardous waves can be caused by severe weather, like a hurricane. The strong winds and pressure from this type of  severe storm causes storm surge, a  series of long waves that are created far from shore in deeper water and intensify as they move closer to  land. Other hazardous waves can be caused by underwater  disturbances that displace large amounts of water quickly such as earthquakes, landslides, or  volcanic eruptions. These very long waves are called tsunamis. Storm surge and  tsunamis are not the types of waves you imagine crashing down on the  shore. These waves roll upon the shore like  a massive sea level rise and can reach far distances inland. 

The gravitational pull  of the sun and moon on the earth also causes waves. These waves are tides or,  in other words, **tidal waves**. It is a common misconception that a tidal wave is also a tsunami. The cause of tsunamis  are not related to tide information at all but can occur in any tidal state.

## Video Transcript

Waves transmit energy, not water, and are commonly caused by the wind as it blows across the ocean, lakes, and rivers. Waves caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun are called tides. The ebb and flow of waves and tides are the life force of our world ocean. 

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          -  Ocean Today: Hurricane Storm Surge  (video)
          -  Ocean Today: Tsunami Awareness  (video)

Did you know?

				Tsunami waves may travel as fast as jet planes over deep waters, only slowing down when reaching shallow waters. Find out more in our Ocean Fact.

**Last updated:**   01/20/23**Author:** NOAAHow to cite this article

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