In November 2020, an unprecedented event occurred off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, as a towering rogue wave, reaching a height of 17.6 meters (58 feet), stunned scientists and became the most extreme rogue wave recorded at that time. The colossal wave was officially confirmed in February 2022, highlighting the rarity of such occurrences, estimated to happen only once every 1,300 years.
Rogue waves, historically dismissed as nautical folklore, gained scientific acknowledgment in 1995 when a nearly 26-meter-high wave struck an oil-drilling platform off the coast of Norway. Since then, several rogue waves, defined as waves more than twice the height of surrounding waves, have been recorded, challenging existing models.
The Canadian rogue wave, observed near Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, while not the tallest on record, stood out for its exceptional size relative to its surroundings. Physicist Johannes Gemmrich from the University of Victoria noted that proportionally, it was likely the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded, nearly three times the size of its peers.
Understanding the formation of rogue waves is crucial for predicting and mitigating their impact. Researchers are exploring real-time measurements and wind-driven models to unravel the mysteries behind these unpredictable phenomena.
The buoy that captured the Ucluelet wave was part of a network deployed by MarineLabs, a research institute, aiming to study deep-sea hazards. Rogue waves, even when occurring offshore, pose risks to marine operations, wind farms, and oil rigs, and can endanger beachgoers.
While the Ucluelet wave did not result in severe damage or casualties, past rogue waves have been implicated in maritime disasters. A 2020 study predicting increased wave heights in the North Pacific due to climate change suggests that such extreme events might become more frequent.
MarineLabs CEO Scott Beatty emphasized the importance of coastal intelligence for improving safety in marine operations and coastal communities. The once-in-a-millennium wave off the Canadian coast serves as a compelling indicator of the transformative power of coastal intelligence in enhancing marine safety.
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Reference: https://www.sciencealert.com/gigantic-wave-in-pacific-ocean-was-most-extreme-rogue-wave-on-record
