1879 Kelvin wave

Kelvin wave

• When the trade winds stop blowing east to west
• warm seawater
• that has been pushed against eastern coasts
• collapses
• starting a wave running eastward
• channelled
• along the equator by Coriolis forces
• until it reaches the western coasts
• where it divides
• and travels north and south along the coasts

Swells

• This one may be an accident of wind.
• This one may have traveled
• from the far eastern edge of the sea.
• This one may be the mythical seventh wave
• spawned in the ocean deep
• to test the limits of human wisdom.

Effects

• A mysterious layer may underly this obvious one,
• but missing the obvious effects worries me more.
• Effects may be visible, but not recognized; causes
• may not be understood. Everything is connected
• and the boundaries that we think are protecting us
• may be threatening our imaginary innocence.