Ocean surface wave dynamics off the southern tip of Indian mainland

Abstract

Waves collected in the nearshore waters off the southern tip of the Indian mainland from February 2018 to January 2019 are used to examine the wave spectral characterization. The annual mean of the significant wave height (1.23 m) in this area is slightly higher than that along the waters of the eastern Arabian Sea (0.9–1.1 m), but the maximum value in an annual cycle (3.6 m) is less than that (4.5–5 m) found in those regions. Compared to other coastal locations around India, significant seasonal variations are not observed in the wave height at this location. A maximum of four wave systems are present in the study region. 76% of the surface height variance in the region results from swells from the south-southwest, and the balance is wind-seas from the west to the southeast. In a year, 72% of the time, single peak spectra are observed, majority of them are swell-dominated. The annual mean peak period and the wave energy potential of the area are larger than that available in the rest of the locations around the mainland of India. Also, the area is not subjected to high waves. Hence, it is an ideal location for installing wave energy converters.