What best describes "wake turbulence"?

"Wake turbulence" refers specifically to the disturbances in the air that are generated by an aircraft as it moves through the atmosphere. When an aircraft is in flight, it creates a wake behind it, which consists of rotating vortices produced primarily by the wings. These vortices can pose a significant hazard to following aircraft, particularly smaller ones, as they may encounter sudden changes in airflow that can lead to loss of control.

Understanding wake turbulence is crucial for pilots, especially during takeoff and landing phases, as the effects can extend for significant distances behind the generating aircraft. Proper separation distances between aircraft in these stages are mandated to mitigate the risks associated with wake turbulence.

The other options refer to different types of turbulence and do not accurately define what wake turbulence is. Ground obstacles can cause turbulence, but they aren't related to the airflow from aircraft. Altitude changes can lead to varying flight conditions but are not specific to turbulence created by an aircraft. Similarly, temperature changes can create thermal turbulence, which is also not what wake turbulence signifies.