Joint and marginal distributions in the frequency, direction, and time domain are employed to demonstrate their value for wave energy resource characterization when full spectra are available. Insights gained through analysis of these distributions support wave energy converter concept design, operation and maintenance. Spatial trends in the wave energy resource and contributing wave energy systems along the continental shelf of the West Coast of the United States are investigated using the most recent two-dimensional wave spectra measurements at four buoys over an eleven year period (2008 to 2018). Resource hot spots and dominant resolved energy resource bands in the frequency-direction-time domain are delineated. Resource attributes, including frequency and directional spreading, and seasonal variability, are characterized using joint distributions and marginal distributions of wave power spectra. North Pacific westerly swells in the winter season, augmented by Aleutian low-pressure southwesterly swells, are the principal suppliers of the dominant resource and main drivers influencing resource attributes. The modification of these systems southward, especially the North Pacific westerly swells, explains the observed spatial resource trends. The dominant resource wave period shifts two seconds to higher wave periods, thirty degrees in the dominant direction band to a more northward orientation, and forward by one month.

当可获得完整频谱时，可以使用频率，方向和时域上的联合和边际分布来证明其对波能资源表征的价值。通过分析这些分布获得的见解支持波能转换器的概念设计，运行和维护。使用最近十一年（2008年至2018年）在四个浮标上进行的二维波谱测量，研究了美国西海岸大陆架沿线波浪资源和贡献波能系统的空间趋势。描绘了频率方向-时域中的资源热点和主要的分辨能量资源带。资源属性，包括频率和方向扩展以及季节性变化，用波谱的联合分布和边际分布来表征。冬季，北太平洋西风隆起，加上阿留申低压西南风隆起，是主要资源的主要供应商和影响资源属性的主要驱动因素。这些系统向南（尤其是北太平洋西风隆起）的变化解释了观测到的空间资源趋势。主导资源波周期向高波周期转变为两秒，在主导方向带向北偏向移动30度，并向前移动一个月。是主导资源的主要供应商和影响资源属性的主要驱动因素。这些系统向南（尤其是北太平洋西风隆起）的变化解释了观测到的空间资源趋势。主导资源波周期向高波周期转变为两秒，在主导方向带向北偏向移动30度，并向前移动一个月。是主导资源的主要供应商和影响资源属性的主要驱动因素。这些系统向南（尤其是北太平洋西风隆起）的变化解释了观测到的空间资源趋势。主导资源波周期向高波周期转变为两秒，在主导方向带向北偏向移动30度，并向前移动一个月。