Why are there no waves in Antarcticaa or the Arctic?

Question

Just curious. Ive been watching these documentaries on Penguins and polar bears and noticed that the waters are very clam even when the ice sheets have receded during the warmer months. Cant seem to find waves crashing onto the coast lines.

So why are there no waves generated? or does the latitude determine the amount of waves in an area.

Answer 1

I agree with Borse. They do have waves, but often film in good conditions as it is probably much safer for the camera crew etc to film when not in danger of storms or waves disturbing them.

Waves are formed by gravity, wind and earthquakes - and are not affected by latitude or longitude. The gravity of the moon causes the tides and the wind causes waves.

Answer 2

waves do happen there, ive seen them in documentries of polar bears and peguins.

I guess most footage is made during good conditions.

Answer 3

In fact some of the largest waves in the world hit Antarctica, the same swells that hit South Africa, Western Australia and South America.

There is not much coverage because of the cold but that will all change in the next few years as wetsuit technology is improved.

http://surfing.about.com/od/productrevie...