A massive rogue wave recorded off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, has been confirmed as the most extreme ever documented. The wave, which struck on November 17, 2020, reached a staggering height of 58 feet (17.6 meters), making it nearly three times the height of the surrounding waves. This extraordinary event was recorded by a buoy deployed by MarineLabs Data Systems as part of a network monitoring the Pacific Ocean's coastal conditions.
Rogue waves, often called "freak waves," are rare, unpredictable phenomena that can arise suddenly in open water, posing significant dangers to marine operations and ships. Unlike tsunamis, which are caused by underwater earthquakes, rogue waves are not triggered by seismic activity but instead result from the convergence of multiple smaller waves, amplifying their energy. In this case, the wave was approximately three times higher than the typical 20-foot (6-meter) waves nearby, a size ratio that has never been seen before in recorded history.
Gigantic Wave in Pacific Ocean Was The Most Extreme 'Rogue Wave' on Record
https://t.co/9NZRyMBxNz— Paul Quibell-smith 🔶 (@QuibellPaul) September 15, 2024
The record-setting wave off Ucluelet, a small town on Vancouver Island's west coast, was measured in real-time by a high-tech buoy located about four miles offshore. Scientists studying the event noted that such a rogue wave is expected to occur only once every 1,300 years, making this a once-in-a-millennium occurrence.
MarineLabs CEO Dr. Scott Beatty explained that while rogue waves are rare, their unpredictability and sheer size make them incredibly dangerous. "Capturing this wave is a thrilling indicator of the power of coastal intelligence to transform marine safety," Beatty said.
Gigantic Wave in Pacific Ocean Was The Most Extreme 'Rogue Wave' on Record
https://t.co/9NZRyMBxNz— Paul Quibell-smith 🔶 (@QuibellPaul) September 15, 2024
The scientific community has been fascinated by rogue waves ever since the first one was confirmed in 1995 off the coast of Norway. Known as the Draupner wave, it reached 84 feet (25.6 meters), but it was only about twice the height of surrounding waves. The Ucluelet wave's extreme size relative to its environment has earned it the title of the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded.
Researchers at the University of Victoria, who analyzed the data from MarineLabs, have since published their findings in the Scientific Reports journal. Dr. Johannes Gemmrich, one of the lead scientists, emphasized the significance of this discovery in understanding ocean dynamics. Rogue waves have long been a mystery due to their unexpected nature, but this study sheds light on the conditions that may lead to their formation. The team hopes that ongoing monitoring efforts will help predict such waves in the future, potentially reducing their threat to maritime activities.
Climate change may also play a role in the increasing frequency of extreme waves. Some scientists predict that as ocean temperatures rise, the conditions that foster rogue waves could become more common. While it's impossible to say for certain when another wave of this magnitude might occur, ongoing research and improved sensor technology will continue to track and study these massive "walls of water".
For now, the Ucluelet rogue wave stands as a record-breaking natural event, a powerful reminder of the ocean's untamed forces and the importance of advancing marine science to keep sailors and coastal communities safe.
