Double, triple, and higher-order dimples in the profiles of wind-generated water waves in the capillary-gravity transition region

Abstract

Photographs of short-fetch wind-generated water waves are used to show examples of ‘double-dimple’ wave profiles in the region of 2.44-cm wavelength as predicted by Wilton [1915]. Additional experimental profiles are presented to suggest that double-dimple waves are the start of the phenomenon of 3, 4, 5, etc., dimples of capillary waves of appropriate wavelength riding in front of the crest of gravity waves having the same velocity.