Scientist Confirm the Largest Wave Ever Recorded (Over 62 Feet)

Popular Mechanics ^ | Dec 15, 2016 | David Grossman

[nickcarraway]

A six-story building rising and falling in the ocean.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has announced that in 2013, a buoy detected the "the highest significant wave height" in recorded history. At a little over 62 feet, the North Atlantic wave was the size of a six-story building.

Using a Datawell heave sensor, the WMO used careful language to describe the discovery. "Significant wave height" refers to the average height in a series of large waves, and "is comparable to what an observer would see as an average of about 15-20 well-formed waves over a period of about 10 minutes," says the WMO. As plucky buoy K5 sat off the coast of Scotland, it encountered winds upwards of 50 MPH as the series of waves hit.

The approximate location of the highest significant wave height in recorded history. The approximate location of the highest significant wave height in recorded history. "This is the first time we have ever measured a wave of 19 meters. It is a remarkable record," said WMO Assistant Secretary-General Wenjian Zhang in a press statement. "It highlights the importance of meteorological and ocean observations and forecasts to ensure the safety of the global maritime industry and to protect the lives of crew and passengers on busy shipping lanes."

Rogue waves—those lone wolves that seem to just come out of nowhere, often due to a confluence of unusual factors—have been reported at heights of up to 100 feet over the course of history, but they are hard to measure accurately, so the official record goes to this smaller series. Still, nothing to sneeze at.

[OldNewYork]

I think you’re right. That’s the way surfers measure them, at least.

[Labyrinthos]

You owe me a beer because half of mine came out my nose as I read your post.

[Az Joe]

LOL

It is scary how fast the joke came into my head upon seeing the original story.

[slouper]

Just what I was thinking, world record? I doubt it, that wave looks bigger than 62’, that was Spain if memory serves.

[T. Rustin Noone]

Sorry for the delay

Yes, indeed. My buddies and I would jump on our motorcycles and run up to the North Shore and body surf on “smaller” days. The ideal size was 12-15 feet (backside). At 20 feet, we were maxed out and the board surfers did not appreciate us on their waves.

UH = University of Hawaii
Rainbows = Rainbow Warriors - the Hawaii mascot
82 = School of Architecture Class of 1982

[A Navy Vet]

"Corpsman was picking Coral out of that cut for about 6 months, Coral kept growing back, in my elbow."

So you were Navy or Marine at the time? Never heard of coral growing on a human body. And yes, yutes are young and dumb. Wonder I ever made it past 25 while riding an old Harley with no front brake and a rear drum brake, while cutting lanes on rush hour hwy in LA without a helmet in those days. Did many other stupid things.

Some of us are just damn lucky and youth IS wasted on the young. At 67, I've fantasized about having those years of experience with a 25 year old body.

[A Navy Vet]

"Just what I was thinking, world record? I doubt it, that wave looks bigger than 62’, that was Spain if memory serves."

Saw the same wave on a Discovery Channel and the experts claim it to be around 80' on the face. Not sure where it was.

[So Cal Rocket]

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Trinidad California had a pretty big wave

“A fact not known to many is the highest wave ever recorded struck in Trinidad on December 31, 1913. Lighthouse Keeper, Fred Harrington, was performing his duties in the lighthouse perched 196 feet above sea level during a ferocious winter storm. As he turned to wipe the lantern room windows, he observed “a sea of unusual height”. In his words, “ The sea itself fell onto the top of the bluff and struck the tower on a level with the balcony, making a terrible jar.” The spray flew forty feet above the crest. The lens was thrown off level by the wave but the plucky Mr. Harrington had the light back in operation in a half an hour. Harrington also recorded observing waves crashing over nearby Pilot Rock (103 feet) - known as “a perfect 10 over Pilot” these days.”

http://trinidad-ca.com/discover/lighthouses.html