Climate change may have significant effect on wave heights

Nature : An international group of researchers has used five independent models of wave-climate behavior to project wave patterns over the next century. The models showed three changing trends: shifts in a ring of climate variability that circles the South Pole, stronger westerly winds in the Southern Ocean, and a northward shift of high pressure systems over the Pacific. These changes could result in an increase in wave heights in Antarctica, Indonesia, and the east coast of Australia and a decrease in wave heights in almost one quarter of the rest of the oceans. The exact impact on coastal areas and fishing industries isn’t certain, but areas with lower waves will likely experience less shoreline erosion.