Ocean waves are usually created by wind or geological events and, before touching land, can travel for thousands of kilometers, ranging in size from small undulations to huge freak waves. Though previously misunderstood, satellite images have greatly contributed to our modern understanding of rogue waves.

For a long time, stories about freak waves were thought to be a myth. They could not be explained through established wave theories. But in recent years several reports about freak wave encounters have not only proven their existence, but provided crucial information for the advancement of the study.

 

Rogue waves are walls of rapidly moving water that form and strike without warning, able to sink or damage supertankers and container ships effortlessly. Whether it’s wind-driven waves, currents, ocean bottom topography or inclement weather, these factors can all play a role in freak wave development. With the dawn of satellite imagery, only recently have scientists begun to get a sense of how frequently these rogue waves occur, estimating that worldwide approximately one to two ships are lost or damaged every week.

CSTARS allows researchers to process and communicate satellite data within 30 minutes. This technology has enabled researchers to prove the prevalence of freak waves. In places, like the nearby Gulf Stream and the Brazil current, having a constant eye on the turbulent, unpredictable patterns will help scientists and mariners better understand this natural phenomenon.

As part of the MaxWave project, the Rosenstiel School has built a WaveAtlas to map the occurrence of rogue waves to be used as a basis for ship routing and offshore construction planning. Additionally, MaxWave has helped investigators better understand what causes these extreme waves and in what kinds of weather conditions.

CSTARS has the ability to produce high-resolution imagery of marine surface winds and ocean waves and is providing scientists with a way to learn more about air–sea interactions during tropical storms.