What are oscillatory waves in inland bodies of water referred to as?

Oscillatory waves in inland bodies of water are referred to as seiches. This phenomenon occurs when water in an enclosed or semi-enclosed body, such as a lake or bay, experiences oscillation due to various factors like wind, changes in atmospheric pressure, or seismic activity. The water sloshes back and forth, creating standing waves that can exhibit significant heights and periods.

Seiches are typically characterized by their formation and sustained movement within the confines of the water body, differentiating them from other types of wave activity. For instance, tsunamis are large ocean waves caused by underwater disturbances like earthquakes and travel across entire ocean basins rather than forming within confined spaces. Sinusoidal waves refer to the mathematical representation of waveforms, which does not specifically describe the oscillatory nature seen in bodies of water, while sloshes can imply a less organized movement compared to the periodic nature of seiches. Thus, seiches is the most accurate term for these oscillatory waves in inland waters.