seicheer

A seicheer is a naturally occurring, standing wave in a body of enclosed or semi-enclosed water, such as a lake, bay, or harbor. These waves are caused by various factors, including wind, atmospheric pressure changes, or seismic activity. Unlike typical wind-driven waves that move across the surface, seiche waves oscillate back and forth within the basin, with nodes where there is little vertical movement and antinodes where the water level fluctuates the most.

The phenomenon of seiche waves was first systematically studied in the Swiss lakes by François-Alphonse Forel in the late 19th century, who coined the term "seiche" from the French word for "to sway." The period of a seiche, which is the time it takes for one complete oscillation, depends on the dimensions of the body of water, specifically its length, average depth, and the acceleration due to gravity. Larger and deeper bodies of water generally have longer seiche periods.

Seiche waves can manifest as a gradual rise and fall of the water level at the shores, sometimes with significant amplitude, and can occur over periods ranging from minutes to hours. While often subtle, seiche events can occasionally lead to minor flooding or expose lakebeds in shallow areas. They are a common occurrence in many large lakes worldwide, including the Great Lakes of North America and Lake Geneva.