Freak waves may be more dangerous than we thought possible

Multidirectional waves created in a circular tank grew higher and larger than those in the one-way tanks

Thomas Davey and Ross Calvert

Ships, wind farms, oil rigs and other offshore structures may be at risk of damage from extreme ocean waves due to underestimations in potential wave sizes and forces.

Using a circular tank that generates waves from multiple directions, scientists have produced “3D” waves that accurately mimic real ones in the ocean – in particular rogue waves, which can grow exceptionally steep and large. Compared to those created by standard one-way tanks, the waves in the multidirectional, circular tank…