"Ocean waves are actually a circular movement of the water both above and below the surface. Boaters and swimmers see and feel the portion of the wave that is above the surface. As long as the wave is in the deep ocean it will usually not fall in on itself, known as “breaking.” When the bottom of the ocean becomes shallower - specifically when the depth of the water is less than 1.3 times the height of the wave - the wave will break. This occurs because the circular motion of the wave below the water cannot continue and the portion of the wave above the surface builds up until it collapses.
If the statements above are true, which of the following can be inferred?
A) Waves occurring in the deeper parts of the ocean
are not dangerous because they usually
do not break. We cannot really comment on both the highlighted facts.
B) Shallow water is the
only mechanism that causes waves to break. There maybe others which were not dicussed
C) Swimmers and boaters should avoid areas where waves are breaking. Not mentioned
D) It
may be possible to estimate the depth of shallow ocean waters based on the height of breaking waves. Maybe, makes it subjective, not sure but maybe we can estimate.
E) Waves occurring in freshwater lakes
do not reach the same height as waves in the ocean. No idea, no information.
Hence, D is the correct answer choice.