An equatorial wave is trapped near the equator by the sign change of the Coriolis parameter. Its meridional structures are Gaussian-weighted Hermite polynomials.
An equatorial Kelvin wave has zero meridional velocity, eastward phase propagation, and Gaussian meridional trapping.
An equatorial Rossby wave propagates westward and has a Gaussian-weighted Hermite-polynomial meridional structure.
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Equatorial waves are oceanic or atmospheric waves that occur in the equatorial regions of the Earth. These waves are characterized by their unique dynamics and properties influenced by the Earth's rotation, the Coriolis force, and the stratification of the atmosphere or ocean. The most notable types of equatorial waves include: 1. **Equatorial Kelvin Waves**: These are eastward-propagating waves influenced by the Coriolis effect and are characterized by their dispersion relation.