Canadian scientists are investigating one of the ocean’s most terrifying and unpredictable phenomena: the rogue wave.
When we think of rogue waves forming far offshore, surfers might picture legendary spots like Cortes Bank — that mythical big-wave break nearly 100 miles off California’s coast. But massive rogue waves are not just limited to known surf spots. New research shows these ocean monsters can appear in open waters around the world — including off the coast of Canada.
Once a Maritime Myth — Now Captured on Video
For centuries, rogue waves were dismissed as sailors’ tall tales. But today, modern technology is proving these giants are very real — and even more unpredictable than once thought. Off the British Columbia coast, a network of AI-powered buoys is detecting and recording rogue waves in real time.
“Once dismissed as a maritime myth, rogue waves are now increasingly being recorded in Canadian waters,” says Johanna Wagstaffe, a CBC meteorologist who met with the scientists behind this research. “A network of AI-powered buoys off the coast of B.C. is capturing these giants in real time. There’s even new technology that might one day help forecast them.”
Wave Taller Than a Six-Story Building
One of the most jaw-dropping discoveries came back in 2020, when MarineLabs Data Systems recorded a rogue wave off Vancouver Island near Tofino. “So, this rogue wave was measured near Tofino,” says Scott Beatty, CEO of MarineLabs. “There was a 17.5 meter [57.4 feet] wave that came by — for context, that’s about six stories tall. The surrounding waves were only about six meters. It was the highest ever recorded. We had to double and triple-check it.”
What Makes Rogue Waves So Dangerous?
Unlike predictable big-wave spots like Cortes Bank — where surfers know where and when to find massive surf — rogue waves appear without warning. They can suddenly rise up in the open ocean, far from shore and shipping routes, making them extremely dangerous for ships and crews.
“These waves are at least twice as tall as the surrounding waves,” the MarineLabs team explains. “They’re unpredictable. They can come from unexpected directions, often moving against prevailing winds and swells. It takes a whole cocktail of factors — wind, swell, current — to align perfectly. It’s a chaotic, nonlinear wave interaction where one wave suddenly gathers energy from others and explodes in size.”
Nature’s Rare, Terrifying, and Fascinating Ocean Giants
Rogue waves remain one of the most fascinating — and feared — marine mysteries. Their random nature fuels legends of “liquid mountains” appearing out of nowhere to swallow ships whole. And for surfers, it makes you wonder: how many undiscovered big-wave spots could be hiding in the vast, open oceans?
With AI technology and new ocean monitoring tools, researchers hope we’ll not only better understand these towering rogue waves — but maybe one day, we’ll be able to predict when and where they’ll appear.
Watch the Rogue Wave Video
📹 Check out the video footage of this massive 60-foot rogue wave captured by MarineLabs off the coast of British Columbia.
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The ocean always keeps its secrets — but sometimes, it shows us just how powerful it really is.
