Talk:soliton

What is the name for a singular wave peak which occurs because of the unique superimposition of other random waves as seen occasionally in the ocean surface (Sometimes credited with swamping boats of any size in relatively calm waters)? This might be distinct from the re-enforcement of various reflections of a single source to super-impose at some other point (ie. a 'Whispering Gallery')? The second might be a general form of a special occurrence called a tidal bore, where the reflection and re-enforcement is continuous, and usually constrained to a channel. (See Bay of Fundy and others.)— This unsigned comment was added by 173.79.118.222 (talk) at 20:32, 13 March 2009‎.

I see three distinct processes that come to mind.

• The hydrological (& EM) phenomenon in which a singleton wave propagates without significant environmental interaction. Tsunami (also misleadingly named 'tidal wave', which has nothing to do with tides) is a single (but otherwise ordinary), or more usually a short 'set' of waves, spread out over the surface of water (usu. oceans). The energy density decreases as it fans out, unlike a 1 dimensional soliton. This is usually generated by a seismic event like an under-sea earth quake movement, or a large, rare, & sudden ocean floor or riverbed gas (usually biological methane) release (which could be directly reported incorrectly, as in the following description**).
• (as mentioned above) The common, but spatially improbable, superimposition of complex ocean wave systems which appears as a dramatic & sometimes catastrophic, single (or few) peak or pit in the ocean surface. It looks like an ordinary 'splash', except that it is much greater (sometimes orders of magnitude) than the surrounding wave structures. These are unpredictable where they do occur, but require depth & reach, which tends to rule out costal areas. When it coincides with a sea vessel, it is possible for smaller vessels to simply drop into it**, or be thrown up, to crash into the surface, and for larger vessels to be broken along its keel by spanning the wave, and not having even support along the length of the hull. This can sometimes be seen in a turbulent swimming pool, if you simply watch across the surface as swimmers frolic. A jet of water will shoot several feet into the air several feet from any source of disturbance.
• (as mentioned above) The third is a resonance wave, properly called a 'tidal wave' or 'tidal bore' which occurs with great predictability in zees, bays, and ocean access canals when the timing of the ocean tide is harmonic with the shape of the inland body. Like a children's swing, the timing of the ocean tide coincides (by some multiple) with the resonance of the water in the inlet. These are well known around the world, and are often tourist attractions. The bay of Fundy has extreme tides of 20-40 feet, many times greater than the adjacent ocean tides of only 3-4'. And some river basins and canals have a 2-6' 'tidal surf' or single daily wave that can be ridden for miles, from near the mouth, to near the end of the water's edge construction.
  Boldklub-PJs (talk) 12:43, 7 July 2012 (UTC)