Non-linear waves of extreme height capable of sinking large vessels
Scientists for centuries scoffed at mariners who claimed to have encountered huge waves (80 feet or greater in height) at sea.
Conventional analysis showed that such wave heights could only be generated by a tsunami and then only as it approached shallow water.
The dispute was put to rest when, on January 1, 1995, a rogue wave struck the Draupner platform in the North Sea.
Instruments on the platform showed that the wave had a maximum height of 84 feet.
Scientists went back to their computers and developed new formulas conforming to known facts.
They now accept that these non-linear waves can and do form almost randomly at sea.
They are thought to occur due to the conjunction of two or more crossing or conflicting wave or current patterns.
There are a few areas, such as off the South African coast in the Agulhas current, where conditions tend to favor rogue wave formation.
A British oceanographic vessel operating in the North Atlantic in February 2001 measured a rogue wave with a height of 95 feet.
Now that scientists know what they are looking for, they have detected rogue waves by means of Earth-orbiting satellites used for routine sea surface measurements.
There is strong circumstantial evidence indicating that rogue waves sank the freighter
MS München in 1978.
In 1942, the
RMS Queen Mary, serving as a fast troopship in the North Atlantic, was struck broadside by a 92-foot high wave.
The ship listed briefly about 52 degrees before slowly recovering. In 1966, the cruise ship
Michelangelo was struck by wave that broke heavy glass 80 feet above the waterline.
A hole was torn in the superstructure and three persons died.
In March 2010, the cruise ship
Louis Majesty was transiting the Mediterranean Sea between Cartagena and Marseille when it was struck by three successive large waves.
Two passengers in a lounge were killed by flying glass when several of the windows shattered.
Many passengers were injured and the ship suffered extensive damage.
Scientists no longer dispute sailors who talk about rogue waves.