swell

1. The volumetric increase of soils on being removed from their compacted beds due to an increase in void ratio. 2. A local enlargement or thickening in a vein or ore deposit. 3. A low dome or quaquaversal anticline of considerable areal extent; long and generally symmetrical waves contribute to the mixing processes in the surface layer and thus to its sound transmission properties. 4. Gently rising ground, or a rounded hill above the surrounding ground or ocean floor. 5. Ocean waves which have traveled away from their generating area; these waves are of relatively long length and period, and regular in character.

Related terms:

• swell forecast
• ground swell
• swell-and-swale topography
• swell direction
• pinch-and-swell structure
• sag-and-swell topography