Context

• Rogue waves — unusually large waves compared to ones which come before and after — pose a threat to ships, coastal and offshore infrastructure, and human lives.

  • Unfortunately, there has existed no method to forecast rogue waves — until now.

About Rogue Waves

• In oceanography, sea state refers to the condition of the surface of a large body of water at a certain location, at a certain point of time.
• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) sea state code characterises sea state based on wave height on a scale of 0 (no waves) to 9 (waves over 14 m).
• Rogue waves defy the average sea state, and are twice the size of surrounding waves, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• Such waves often form when swells — which occur not due to local winds, but distant weather systems — converge to raise a single, amplified wave.
• They may also form when ocean currents compress swells to create strong billows.
• While scientists have long known rogue waves are not altogether unpredictable, the lack of a real-time forecasting method has had deadly consequences.

Source: IE

Visit Abhiyan PEDIA (One of the Most Followed / Recommended) for UPSC Revisions: Click Here

IAS Abhiyan is now on Telegram: Click on the Below link to Join our Channels to stay Updated 

IAS Abhiyan Official: Click Here to Join

For UPSC Mains Value Edition (Facts, Quotes, Best Practices, Case Studies): Click Here to Join