Fully
Developed Sea
When
the wind has imparted its maximum energy to the waves, the sea is said to be
fully developed. The maximum frequency range for that wind will have been
produced by the fetch, and
this maximum frequency range will be present at the leeward edge of the fetch.
Once the sea is fully developed, no frequency is produced with a value lower
than that of the minimum frequency value for the wind speed in question, no
matter how long the wind blows. In brief, the waves cannot grow any higher than
the maximum value for that wind speed.
When
the sea is fully developed, the area near the windward edge is said to be in a
steady state, because the frequency range does not increase any more. If the
wind continues to blow at the same speed and from the same direction for a
considerable period of time, the major portion of the fetch reaches the steady
state.
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