Våglinje

Våglinje is a term used in Norwegian-language technical contexts to describe a line associated with wave phenomena in diagrams, maps, or drawings. The word combines våg, meaning “wave,” and linje, meaning “line.” Because it is not a strictly standardized term, its exact meaning can vary by field and author.

In physics, engineering, and related disciplines, a våglinje often denotes a line that marks a wave property across space or time. Common interpretations include a line of constant phase, along which the wave oscillates in step, or a wavefront in optics or acoustics, where the line represents points that receive the wave at the same phase or arrival time. In diagrams of wave propagation, a våglinje may also be used to indicate the preferred direction of energy transport or the boundary between regions with different wave characteristics.

In oceanography, meteorology, or geophysics, the term can appear in charts or models to describe patterns that resemble the crests or patterns of a wave field, though more precise terms such as crest lines or phase contours are often preferred in technical writing. Given its variability, it is important to consult the specific source to determine what a våglinje signifies in that context.

See also: wavefront, phase, crest line, contour line.