seiche
Noun: A standing wave that oscillates in a closed or partially enclosed body of water, such as a lake, bay, or swimming pool. It is typically caused by atmospheric pressure changes, wind, or seismic activity (like earthquakes), which displace the water mass. The water then rocks or sloshes back and forth at a frequency determined by the basin's size and shape.
A "seiche" is a specific scientific term used in geology, hydrology, and oceanography to describe a harmonic water motion. It is not a common term in everyday conversation.
Examples: * The strong winds created a noticeable seiche in the lake, causing the water level at the dock to rise and fall rhythmically. * Scientists measured the seiche triggered by the distant earthquake. * The phenomenon observed in the harbor was identified as a seiche, not a tidal wave.
- Seiche period: The time it takes for one complete oscillation (back-and-forth cycle) of the seiche.
- The lake has a seiche period of approximately 15 minutes.
- Seiche node: A point in the oscillating body of water where there is little or no vertical movement.
- The boat was anchored at a seiche node, so it experienced minimal rocking.
- Seismic seiche (noun phrase): A seiche specifically generated by seismic waves from an earthquake, even at very large distances.
- The 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan caused seismic seiches in Norwegian fjords.
- Standing wave (noun): A wave that remains in a constant position, which is the physical category a seiche belongs to.
- Slosh (verb/noun): Informally describes a similar splashing, swaying motion of liquid in a container.
The word "seiche" has only one primary meaning as defined above. It does not have common idiomatic or phrasal verb uses.
- a wave on the surface of a lake or landlocked bay; caused by atmospheric or seismic disturbances