What are progressing groups of swell with the same origin and wavelength called?

The term used to describe progressing groups of swell that share the same origin and wavelength is "Wave Trains." Wave trains consist of a series of waves that travel together in a coordinated manner, resulting from energy transferred from wind blowing over the surface of the ocean. These waves have a consistent wavelength and usually arise from the same storm or wind pattern, allowing them to maintain their properties as they propagate through the ocean.

In contrast, fetch refers to the distance over which the wind blows across the surface of the water to generate waves, but it does not imply the organization of the waves into groups. Rogue waves are large and unexpected waves that can occur in open water conditions; they are not categorized by a common origin or consistent wavelength. Surf beat refers to the pattern of waves breaking along a shoreline and is influenced by the interaction of waves, rather than being a descriptor for regularly progressing swells. Understanding these distinctions is key in oceanography for studying wave dynamics and their effects on coastal environments.