100ft 'rogue' waves that batter off-shore oil rigs can be predicted for the first time after experts recreate them in the lab
- Rogue waves are spontaneous and can reach up to 100 feet (30 metres) in height
- The ocean phenomena has long been a mystery to ocean scientists
- The study has determined for the first time a way to predict rogue waves
- Researchers found that two waves crossing at 60 degrees cause the freak waves
Rogue waves, also known as killer waves, occur spontaneously and can reach heights of 100 feet (30 metres).New understanding of the mysterious large ocean waves could help inform the design of oil platforms and other offshore structures, researchers have said.So-called rogue waves, which are exceptionally powerful and dangerous, can be exacerbated when they are produced by two sets of waves crossing at a rough 60 degree angle, a study has found.
This phenomenon, which researchers have recreated in testing tanks, can now be predicted for the first time.
Rogue waves, which are exceptionally powerful and dangerous, can be exacerbated when they are produced by two sets of waves crossing at a particular angle, a study from the University of Edinburgh has found
Experiments carried out in an ocean research facility showed that when waves intersect at an angle greater than approximately 60 degrees, they cause the surface level of the ocean to rise.
This adds to the overall height of the resulting combined wave.
Dr Ton van den Bremer, who led the study while at the University of Edinburgh, said: 'This improves understanding of rogue waves, decades after this aspect of their behaviour was suggested.
'The more we know about this dangerous phenomenon, the better equipped we will be to design offshore structures and to navigate the oceans.'
Experiments were carried out in the FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility at the University of Edinburgh.
The testing tank is able to simulate ocean currents and waves of any type, which are monitored using overhead sensors.
WHAT ARE ROGUE WAVES?
Rogue waves are exceptionally powerful and dangerous.
The waves are spontaneous and can reach heights of up to 100 feet (30 metres).
The rogue waves are often referred to by scientists as 'extreme storm waves'.
According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the waves are more than twice the size of surrounding waves, are very unpredictable, and often come unexpectedly from directions.
The oceanic phenomena are often steep-sided with unusually deep troughs.
Researchers used the 80-foot (25-metre) circular tank to study the complex interactions that occur when waves cross in open water.
The study was carried out in collaboration with the University of Oxford and supported by the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Dr Mark McAllister, who took part in the research while at the University of Edinburgh, said: 'These experiments provide new insight into how a heightened, or set-up, wave actually forms.
'They revealed that this behaves like a partial standing wave, which forms underneath waves as they cross.
The phenomenon of rogue waves, which researchers have recreated in testing tanks, can now be predicted for the first time and has been found to be triggered by two waves crossing over at the key angle of 60 degrees
Rogue waves are referred to by scientists as 'extreme storm waves'. They can reach 100 feet (30 metres) in size. They occur spontaneously and can come from any direction and new research can allow them to be predicted
'This insight allowed us to create a simple theory to predict when such waves might occur.'
Rogue waves happen spontaneously and cause huge damage as well as risk to human life.
The unpredictable nature of the waves is a particular problem for oil-rigs and other off-shore structures and can have devastating consequences.
The rogue waves are referred to by scientists as 'extreme storm waves' and are steep sided, have deep troughs and can become twice the size of surrounding waves.
The paper was published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics
