Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Freak Wave Mystery ??A New Hypothesis For Its Occurrence, Nai-Kuang Liang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

Freak waves are known as a maritime myth, which have damaged large cargo and cruise ships. So far freak waves are explained by strong current focusing and nonlinear wave interaction. The latter may results in a single large wave. However this can still not explain the disappearance of the cargo ship Muenchen in December, 1978. This paper proposes a new hypothesis which stems from the wave/ swell energy flux accumulation due to the moving wind system. Nature might play the game by controlling the moving speed to approach the wave/swell group velocity.