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# Long description

This shows the paths followed by wave water particles for three regimes. In each case, the wave moves from left to right.

Left figure: shallow water, d less than L divided by 20. The path of the surface is elliptical and clockwise. The height of each ellipse is less than length. The height of the ellipse for deeper paths decreases with depth (the ellipses get flatter), though the length of each ellipse remains constant with depth. The ellipses are shown getting close to the sea bed.

Middle: intermediate. The path of the surface is elliptical and clockwise. The height of each ellipse is less than length. The height and length of depth of each ellipse decrease with depth. The ellipses are shown getting close to the sea bed.

Right figure: deep water, d greater than L divided by 20. The path is circular and clockwise. The radius of these paths decreases with depth and disappear completely a long way above the sea bed.