Monster Waves

This world of ours, the world we think we know so much about, still seems to be able to throw us a few curve balls. Mother nature can still show us how small and insignificant we are, despite our own views on the subject it seems.

An example of this is the news that the European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed, using two of it's satellites, the existence of seemingly random 'monster waves.' These are waves that are anywhere up to 30m (100ft) high, come from nowhere and are, apparently, far more common than current estimates allow. It may explain many of the nearly 200 large ship (over 200m long 'super-carriers') disappearances in the last 20 years.

I don't know about you, but I find the thought of being drowned by a 30m wave that appeared out of the (excuse the pun) blue rather disturbing and the idea the somewhere, on any ocean, an otherwise perfectly happy ship can be cruising along one minute and dragged under the next somewhat unnerving.

The BBC's Horizon did a story on it some time ago, check out their minisite for more information.