In November 2020, an anomalous wave event transpired, propelling a solitary buoy off the British Columbian coast to an astonishing height of 17.6 meters (58 feet).
Several years subsequently, this water colossal, measuring four stories in stature, was substantiated as the most extreme rogue wave ever documented.
Such an extraordinary occurrence is posited to happen at intervals as infrequent as once every 1,300 years. Furthermore, had the buoy not been fortuitously caught in this phenomenon, its existence might have remained unknown.
Observe the ensuing video for a synthesized overview:
For a considerable period, rogue waves were perceived as nothing more than fanciful maritime tales.
It was not until 1995 that these legends began to materialize into tangible events. On the inaugural day of that year, a wave approaching 26 meters (85 feet) in height impacted an offshore oil-drilling platform situated approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the Norwegian coast.
At the time of its observation, the wave, subsequently termed the Draupner wave, deviated significantly from all established scientific models developed by oceanographers.
Since that pivotal moment, a multitude of further rogue wave incidents have been recorded (with some even occurring in inland lakes). While the wave that emerged near Ucluelet on Vancouver Island was not the absolute tallest, its relative magnitude when contrasted with the surrounding waves was utterly unprecedented.
Oceanographers define a rogue wave as any wave exceeding twice the height of the prevailing wave pattern in its vicinity. The Draupner wave, for instance, measured 25.6 meters in height, whereas the adjacent waves were merely 12 meters tall.
In stark contrast, the Ucluelet wave was approximately three times the dimension of its contemporary swells.
“From a proportional standpoint, the Ucluelet wave represents likely the most extreme rogue wave ever documented,” articulated physicist Johannes Gemmrich of the University of Victoria in 2022.
“Direct observations of rogue waves under severe sea conditions are exceedingly rare, and none have approached this scale of extremity.”
Currently, researchers are diligently investigating the genesis of rogue waves to enhance predictive capabilities. This ongoing endeavor involves real-time measurement of these phenomena and the simulation of their formation mechanisms, particularly how they are amplified by wind action.
The buoy that registered the Ucluelet wave was strategically positioned offshore, alongside numerous other devices, by MarineLabs, a research institute dedicated to understanding oceanic hazards.
“The inherent unpredictability of rogue waves, coupled with the sheer force of these ‘walls of water,’ can render them exceptionally perilous to maritime endeavors and the general public,” stated MarineLabs CEO Scott Beatty.
“While the prospect of accurately predicting rogue waves remains an open question, our collected data contributes significantly to a more profound understanding of their occurrence, location, formation processes, and associated risks.”
Even when these anomalous waves manifest far from land, they possess the capacity to devastate marine infrastructure, wind farms, and oil extraction platforms. If sufficiently immense, they can even imperil the safety of individuals on beaches.
Fortunately, neither the Ucluelet nor the Draupner incident resulted in substantial damage or loss of life, though other rogue wave events have had severe consequences.
Certain vessels that vanished during the 1970s, for example, are now believed to have succumbed to the onslaught of sudden, towering waves. The scattered debris that resurfaced often suggested the impact of an enormous, untamed crest.
Regrettably, a 2020 scientific assessment projected an escalation in wave heights across the North Pacific due to the effects of climate change, implying that the Ucluelet wave’s record may be surpassed sooner than currently anticipated.
Experimental investigations published in 2024 indicate that these colossal waves can attain heights up to four times greater than previously considered theoretically possible.
“Our objective is to enhance safety protocols and inform decision-making for maritime operations and coastal communities through comprehensive monitoring of global coastlines,” stated MarineLabs CEO Scott Beatty.
“The capture of this singular, once-in-a-millennium wave, right in our operational vicinity, is a compelling testament to the transformative potential of coastal intelligence in advancing maritime safety.”
The research findings were disseminated in the esteemed journal Scientific Reports.
