<P> In fluid dynamics, the wave height of a surface wave is the difference between the elevations of a crest and a neighbouring trough . Wave height is a term used by mariners, as well as in coastal, ocean and naval engineering . </P> <P> At sea, the term significant wave height is used as a means to introduce a well - defined and standardized statistic to denote the characteristic height of the random waves in a sea state . It is defined in such a way that it more--or--less corresponds to what a mariner observes when estimating visually the average wave height . </P>

What is the term for the height of a wave from origin to crest