Rogue Waves

Rogue Waves are large, spontaneous ocean waves that occur out in the middle of the ocean. They are so large, they present a danger to ships as large as ocean liners. Oceanographers define a rogue wave as one whose height is twice the significant wave height. The SWH (significant wave height) is defined as the mean of the largest third of waves in a wave record. In layman's terms, a rogue wave is double the average of the top third of the waves in the area at the time. So if you were on the ocean and the top third of the waves averaged 20 feet in height, a rogue wave for that area would be 40 feet or higher. Rogue waves are not tsunami waves, rather they are randomly generated, extra large waves that occur because of a confluence of events. High winds, fast currents, or other physical factors seem to converge to create these rogue waves from time to time.

Rogue waves, then, are extraordinarily large waves compared to the current sea state of a given area. If the waves are averaging 10 feet, a rogue wave would 20 feet or higher--for that area at that time. On the other hand, if waves were averaging 30 feet and the top third of the waves averaged 40 feet in a given area, a rogue wave there would be 80 feet or higher. Considering this, you can see why a rogue wave generates so much interest.

Rogue waves are also referred to as freak waves, killer waves, abnormal waves, extreme waves or even monster waves. They can be a serious threat to boats in the area and so you can see why scientists are interested in why they occur as well as how to predict them and protect people from them.

Folk tales tell of massive waves up to 100 feet in height that appear without warning. They often tell that the wave appeared against the prevailing current. The maritime stories say that the waves are preceded by enormous troughs deep enough to be called "holes in the sea". With this in mind, it makes sense that from time to time, a ship could actually disappear at sea. The combined pressure created on a ship hitting the large trough and then hitting the giant wall of water would destroy and sink most ships in just a few minutes.

Science has now shown that waves of over 115 feet are actually more common than would be expected.

Here is a list of supposed "victims" of rogue waves:

1. 1861--The Eagle Island Lighthouse had glass broken by water. The glass destroyed was over 215 feet above the surface of the water.
2. 1942--The RMS Queen Mary was hit broadside by a wave estimated to be 92 feet high. It caused the ship to list 52 degrees before, luckily, righting itself.
3. 1980--The Esso Languedoc, a French Supertanker, was hit by a wave over 80 feet tall. The first mate, Philippe Lijour actually took pictures of the wave.
4. 1995--In the North Sea the Draupner Wave is the first wave confirmed with scientific evidence. It had a confirmed height of at least 84 feet.
5. 2001--The MS Bremen and the Caledonian Star both were hit by a 98 foot rogue wave in the South Atlantic. Both ships suffered severe damage.
6. 2005--The Aleutian Ballad captures footage of a rogue wave while filming for the TV series Deadliest Catch. The Bearing Sea rogue wave is one of very few video recordings of a rogue wave.
7. 2010--The MS Louis Majesty is hit by a series of three rogue waves in the Mediterranean Sea. The third wave killed two passengers with glass from a broken window. Although disputed because of being in a series of three--most evidence does point to the three waves acting as true rogue waves.