<p>Here is what I found if useful for others -</p>

<p><strong>Oceanic Wave Clarification</strong></p>

<p>Wave position in space (x,y) and in time (t) are different concepts</p>

<p>Ocean waves in <em>time</em> are a vertical oscillation generated most often from surface winds creating a circulation (eddy). There are no 'leading waves' to a 'big wave' rather simply a continual progression in size.</p>

<p>Ocean waves in <em>space</em> are generated from the simple motion of the wind. As the depth decreases the energy density of the wave increases, increasing the wave amplitude</p>

<p><strong>Illustration</strong> <a href="https://www.quora.com/When-do-waves-stop-forming-in-the-ocean-Is-there-a-specific-area-in-the-ocean-where-the-water-is-calm-and-then-waves-form-in-two-separate-directions-from-that-area-of-calmness-What-elements-and-factors-contribute-to-waves-forming" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(1)</a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/24v7F.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/24v7F.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><strong>Common Vocabulary</strong> (if useful)</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/qQD5G.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qQD5G.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><strong>Reference</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>(1) <a href="https://www.quora.com/When-do-waves-stop-forming-in-the-ocean-Is-there-a-specific-area-in-the-ocean-where-the-water-is-calm-and-then-waves-form-in-two-separate-directions-from-that-area-of-calmness-What-elements-and-factors-contribute-to-waves-forming" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Quora - >When do waves stop forming in the ocean?</a></li>
<li>(2) <a href="http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Waves/watwav2.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hyperphysics - Ocean Waves</a></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-09T21:51:28.660Z
"There are no 'leading waves' to a 'big wave' rather simply a continual progression in size." This is a confusing statement to me. Also, there are leading waves if you are talking about [wave groups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_velocity). Distinction between ocean waves in time and space is also confusing. They are not different physical process, but a different coordinate system.
milancurcic
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-12T03:08:30.417Z
@milancurcic Milan you bring good points but beyond the scope of my skillset or experience, please post an answer as you describe if possible. Curious to see and learn from!
J-Dizzle
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-09T00:02:54.823Z
2018-02-09T12:00:17.277Z
2018-02-09T12:00:17.277Z
J-Dizzle
<p>What do you call the leading waves and activity leading before a large wave?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-08T19:52:58.367Z
Can you add more context? What kind of wave? Wavefront is a terminology that could apply.
Camilo Rada
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-08T21:27:31.507Z
@CamiloRada it's tagged with 'ocean', so It's probably about waves in the ocean.
Eevee
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-08T23:15:05.057Z
After more research, is the correct answer 'Capillary Waves'? If this is too vague please close it, my apologies
J-Dizzle
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-08T23:16:51.600Z
Why are you asking me? If you know the answer, than post it below.
Eevee
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-08T23:18:00.660Z
I asked the original question and am unsure of this, but will post below as you suggest
J-Dizzle
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-08T23:36:54.620Z
I'll give it an upvote, you'll get a badge for answering your own question with an answer score of 3 or more _(that is if it's correct...)_ I'll just have to wait for @CamiloRada to check it for accuracy. :)
Eevee
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-08T23:42:56.613Z
I don't know much about ocean waves, nor Capillary waves. Buy if you answer with a good and convincing explanation with references. I would most likely upvote it too.
Camilo Rada
<ocean><waves>
Searching for common wave vocabulary
J-Dizzle
# Searching for common wave vocabulary

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-08)

What do you call the leading waves and activity leading before a large wave?

**Tags:** ocean, waves

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Can you add more context? What kind of wave? Wavefront is a terminology that could apply.  
> **username_2**: @username_1 it's tagged with 'ocean', so It's probably about waves in the ocean.  
> **username_0**: After more research, is the correct answer 'Capillary Waves'? If this is too vague please close it, my apologies  
> **username_2**: Why are you asking me? If you know the answer, than post it below.  
> **username_0**: I asked the original question and am unsure of this, but will post below as you suggest  
> **username_2**: I'll give it an upvote, you'll get a badge for answering your own question with an answer score of 3 or more _(that is if it's correct...)_ I'll just have to wait for @username_1 to check it for accuracy. :)  
> **username_1**: I don't know much about ocean waves, nor Capillary waves. Buy if you answer with a good and convincing explanation with references. I would most likely upvote it too.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2018-02-09. Score: 4

Here is what I found if useful for others -

**Oceanic Wave Clarification**

Wave position in space (x,y) and in time (t) are different concepts

Ocean waves in *time* are a vertical oscillation generated most often from surface winds creating a circulation (eddy). There are no 'leading waves' to a 'big wave' rather simply a continual progression in size.

Ocean waves in *space* are generated from the simple motion of the wind. As the depth decreases the energy density of the wave increases, increasing the wave amplitude

**Illustration** [(1)](https://www.quora.com/When-do-waves-stop-forming-in-the-ocean-Is-there-a-specific-area-in-the-ocean-where-the-water-is-calm-and-then-waves-form-in-two-separate-directions-from-that-area-of-calmness-What-elements-and-factors-contribute-to-waves-forming)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/24v7F.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/24v7F.jpg)

**Common Vocabulary** (if useful)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/qQD5G.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/qQD5G.png)

**Reference**

* (1) [Quora - >When do waves stop forming in the ocean?](https://www.quora.com/When-do-waves-stop-forming-in-the-ocean-Is-there-a-specific-area-in-the-ocean-where-the-water-is-calm-and-then-waves-form-in-two-separate-directions-from-that-area-of-calmness-What-elements-and-factors-contribute-to-waves-forming)
* (2) [Hyperphysics - Ocean Waves](http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Waves/watwav2.html)

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: "There are no 'leading waves' to a 'big wave' rather simply a continual progression in size." This is a confusing statement to me. Also, there are leading waves if you are talking about [wave groups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_velocity). Distinction between ocean waves in time and space is also confusing. They are not different physical process, but a different coordinate system.  
> **username_0**: @username_3 Milan you bring good points but beyond the scope of my skillset or experience, please post an answer as you describe if possible. Curious to see and learn from!  

---

