OBSERVED STATISTICS OF EXTREME WAVES

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OBSERVED STATISTICS OF EXTREME WAVES
This study utilizes large data sets of sea
surface elevations to compare statistics from
energetic wave fields across several depths of
water to better understand the nature of these
extreme waves as they propagate toward coastal
waters.
LT Anne M. Laird (Dec 06) Advisor T.H.C.
Herbers Sponsor ONR Beneficiary NAVO, FNMOC
Deformation from the Rayleigh Distribution
During benign sea states (left panel), the wave
statistics are described well using the Rayleigh
distribution (blue curve). However, there is a
significant deviation from the Rayleigh
distribution in the right-hand tail in the high
energy histogram (right panel). The wave height
distribution narrows during high-energy events at
a shallow water sensor.
An isolated extreme wave (4 meters from crest to
trough) during a relatively benign sea state
(significant wave height 1.1 meters)