51动漫

This photo was taken at Vieux Port in Marseille, France. Can anybody explain why the distribution of ripples varies so much that some of the mast reflections have large 鈥渨aves鈥� in them, whereas others are almost straight?

Clive Wilkinson, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

We pay 拢25 for every answer published in 51动漫. To answer this question 鈥� or ask a new one 鈥� visit newscientist.com/lastword. Terms and conditions apply.

This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淪hivering timbers鈥�