abstract
The surface wave climate and wave profiles in the vicinity of Marion Island are investigated, using SWH (significant wave height) from the Geosat altimeter between 1986 and 1989. The average SWH varies between 3,2 m (summer) to 4.8 m (winter) with a maximum of 9.3 m. A wave-height trough in the lee (i.e. east) of Marion amounts to 0,4 to 2,8 m below the openocean levels. The reduction SWH may influence the mixing characteristics in the lee of Marion.