Seiche Formation

The generation of a standing wave that oscillates back and forth within an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water, such as a lake, bay or harbour, typically triggered by a sudden disturbance like a strong wind, a rapid change in atmospheric pressure, or a seismic event, after which the water sloshes at the basin's own natural resonant period. A seiche can persist for hours after the initial disturbance has passed and, in an enclosed water body such as the Great Lakes, can produce a locally significant and sometimes hazardous rise and fall in water level.