A rogue wave is a freak of nature that can explain the disappearance of many ships at sea.
Synonym: freak wave, killer wave
A rogue wave one that is > 2 times the significant wave height in the surrounding water at the time of its occurrence. Everything about it is different from the characteristics seen in the surrounding waves. The significant wave height (SWH) is the mean of the largest third (tertile) of waves in the surrounding ocean.
A rogue wave may occur on the ocean or on a large lake.
Risk factors:
(1) collision of two strong currents
(2) specific coastal or seabed shapes affecting how waves combine
(3) strong winds blowing opposite to an ocean current
Some regions of the world (for example, around South Africa) have a higher risk of rogue waves due to the presence of predictable risk factors. However, rogue waves can occur even when none of the risk factors are present.
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