Wave height

As wave height (symbol ), the height difference between the high point of a wave crest and the trough of a wave trough is referred to the case of water waves. It is therefore the sum of the maximum water surface elevation up () and down (), based on the static water level:

In contrast to the electromagnetic waves gravity waves differ in shape from the regular cosine from such that they are both horizontally and vertically asymmetric. This has the result that the upward deflection is not as great, as a rule, such as the downward deflection.

• Coastal Engineering