Dangerous Rogue Waves Are Becoming Extreme – Rare And Unexpected Ocean Phenomenon

Eddie Gonzales Jr. – MessageToEagle.com – Rogue waves are considered a rare, unexpected and hazardous ocean phenomenon. Studies show that rogue waves appear less often than before, but they are now more extreme.

Waves are classed as ‘rogue’ when they are over twice the height of the average sea state around them. From trough to peak, past observations have put some at over 30 meters high.

The fiercest are capable of damaging or sinking ships, can wound or kill crew members and on occasions have swept people off the shoreline and out to sea.

Credit: Public Domain

Predicting the occurrence of rogue waves is very difficult, but important for mariners, both in terms of ship safety and economics.

Scientists from the University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) have examined data containing over 20 years of information from 15 buoys which provide surface data along the US western seaboard, stretching from Seattle in the north, to San Diego in the south.

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The results show the behavior of rogue waves vary significantly, depending on the area of sea and time period focused on.

Taking into consideration two decades, researchers found instances of rogue fell slightly, but that rogue wave size, relative to the background sea, increased.

Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The study revealed that rogue waves are more prevalent and of greater severity in the winter months. Interestingly, increasing frequency of these giant waves occurs within calmer background seas.

Rogue waves occur many times each day world-wide, and they are a major issue globally for the shipping industry. A previous study from ESA MaxWave identified more than ten individual giant waves above 25 meters in height, within just three weeks.

By understanding the behavior of these monstrous waves, it may be easier in the near future to predict when these destructive forces may strike.

Written by Eddie Gonzales Jr. – MessageToEagle.com Staff Writer