whitecap

A whitecap is a wave that has broken. When wind blows over the surface of the water, it creates ripples. If the wind is strong enough, these ripples can grow into larger waves. As a wave travels, the water at the top moves faster than the water at the bottom. Eventually, the top of the wave moves so fast that it overtops the base, causing the wave to break. The frothy, white appearance of a breaking wave is due to the air that is mixed into the water as it tumbles. This frothy foam is what gives the wave its characteristic whitecap. Whitecaps are a common sight on oceans, seas, and large lakes when the wind is blowing. They are an indicator of wind speed and sea state. The intensity and frequency of whitecaps can be used by mariners to estimate wind conditions. Different wave breaking patterns can occur depending on factors such as wave height, water depth, and the presence of obstacles. However, the fundamental process involves the wave crest becoming unstable and collapsing forward. The formation of whitecaps is a visual cue that marks the transition from a smooth water surface to a more turbulent state.