Stokes Drift

Stokes drift is the net forward (Lagrangian) transport of water in the direction of wave propagation, arising because orbital velocities under a surface wave crest slightly exceed those in the trough. It decays with depth over roughly a wavelength and feeds Langmuir circulation, the transport of oil, plastic, and larvae, and the wave-driven part of the surface current. It is distinct from, and adds to, the Eulerian current.