Unexplainable

When waves go rogue

7 snips
Aug 6, 2025
Ton van der Bremer, an associate professor of environmental fluid mechanics, dives into the haunting mystery of rogue waves. He reveals how these towering giants can arise unexpectedly, shattering myths of folklore. The conversation explores the bizarre dynamics that allow smaller waves to collide and form these colossal forces, along with experimental attempts to replicate their behavior. With a blend of science and storytelling, Ton paints a vivid picture of the ocean's unpredictable nature and the challenges that come with predicting such phenomena.
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ANECDOTE

The Mysterious MS München Sinking

  • The MS München, a huge freight ship, disappeared mysteriously during a storm in 1978 with just a weak SOS signal.
  • Search teams found only scattered life jackets and a raft sheared off 60 feet above water.
ANECDOTE

The First Recorded Rogue Wave

  • On New Year's Day 1995, an 85-foot tall rogue wave struck the Dropner oil platform in the North Sea.
  • It was the first rogue wave ever recorded by sensors, confirming the existence of these waves.
INSIGHT

Rogue Waves' Origins and Scale

  • Rogue waves are statistical anomalies at least twice the size of surrounding waves, caused by wind-generated waves stacking and combining.
  • Waves from distant storms can travel thousands of miles, interacting to create unexpectedly large waves.
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