Surface wave statistics and spectra for Valiathura coastline, SW coast of India

A series of 12 monthly graphical three-dimensional plots were produced for Valiathura, SW coast of India, taking significant wave height, zero up-cros sing period and direction as the three axes. Joint distributions of signifi cant wave height and zero-up crossing period have also been developed for t hese months to understand the combination of these parameters in random wav es. The fair weather period (November-April) was characterized by comparati vely moderate wave activity with period ranging from 6 to 17.5 sec and dire ction of wave approach from 190 degrees to 200 degrees. During rough weathe r period (May October), the waves exhibit a wider spread of direction rangi ng from 190 degrees to 260 degrees with periods ranging from 6 to 13.5 sec and significant wave height ranging from 0.6 to 3.2 m. Wave spectrum curves show that the TMA model gives better results and follows the observed spec tra in a large number of cases during fair weather. During rough weather, T MA and Shadrin's models show almost identical behavior.