![]() So if you find yourself in a situation like this take action to get to shore immediately. The cross waves on the surface may not be too hazardous to contend with, but the current underwater can be treacherous. If you’re swimming, and you notice yourself in a cross sea wave situation, get out of the water immediately. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU SWIM IN SQUARE WAVES? Squared waves should be avoided recreationally at all costs. Square waves are the result of two ocean swells colliding perpendicular to one another, and this cross sea wave collision results in powerful rip currents, and incredibly unpredictable waves - making them extremely dangerous.Ĭountless ships and lives have been lost to squared sea waves, so they’re not something to take lightly.Įven though on the surface cross sea waves may appear harmless, underneath the surface a turbulent battle is taking place underwater that should not be messed with under any circumstances. Yes, square waves can be very dangerous and here’s why: Just don't grab your board and hop in, as they're more dangerous than you might think. If you’re fortunate enough to see one first hand, lucky you, enjoy it. In fact square waves in the ocean have caused numerous shipping accidents over the years, and are a real danger to swimmers and surfers too. I hope that with this information you can learn more about square waves, their characteristics and risks.Although rare, and only made possible in certain unique conditions, they absolutely are real. Shallow square waves are safer because they carry less current. It's also possible that you've seen square waves near the shore and just didn't know it. In these places, tourists often fly drones over the sea or climb into lighthouses to get a bird's-eye view of the waves. You can also see these square waves in Tel Aviv and Lisbon in Portugal. ![]() There are news and articles that claim that this small island of France is the only place where it crosses the ocean, however, this is completely false. If you want to witness these waves, you should first view the log to see when they are most likely to happen. Nevertheless, you can't expect to see a square wave 100% of the time. The most famous place where these waves can be seen is the Ile de Ré. Since these specific waves are the result of wave refraction and diffraction, they mostly occur in coastal areas or within small bays. But surprisingly, several people still went to witness the rare event. Square waves are the kind of waves you don't want to encounter when swimming or surfing. If you're already inside it is best to swim to shore as soon as possible. Therefore, lifeguards advise against entering the water to prevent this behavior. In short, bathers and boaters do not fear these accidents for themselves, but for the possibility of being trapped in a patterned box. Mainly in transoceanic conditions, or just after transoceanic, “when the waves and the sea breeze are almost aligned”. "Two wave trains with similar wavelengths but crossing in different directions (cross seas) create an interference pattern that results in unusually high waves."Īccording to the study, the rate at which many ship accidents occur in the oceans is undergoing rapid temporal changes. We will start by quoting an excerpt from the book “The Science of Waves: Ripples, Tsunamis, and Stormy Oceans”: A 2004 study by Toffoli, collecting a series of data from Lloyds Marine Information Services between 19, revealed that a large percentage of ship accidents were caused by square waves. When weather conditions allow the phenomenon to persist longer, squares can be seen over the sea, but when this happens ships can get trapped. In this sense, experts have warned of its dangers and advised that if you see this phenomenon, it is best to avoid being in the sea at the time of the event to avoid an accident. In the case of the Ile de Ré, several boats have been reported trapped by these currents, however, there have been incidents in other parts of the world due to the “square sea”, for which the authorities have issued an alert. When this phenomenon occurs, it attracts thousands of spectators due to its fascinating sight, however, experts warn that these waves are actually currents of water, so they can be dangerous for any boat or person in the water. Although the square waves are beautiful, they are also quite dangerous, it is recommended not to swim in those places. Curiously, many people head to the island's lighthouse, built in 1854, to observe this incredible phenomenon. ![]() These peculiar and rare waves are formed by the collision of two deep oceans thousands of meters deep, and other factors such as the wind cause the waves to travel so far that the surface of the sea looks strange.Īs a result, these impacts form a diamond or square pattern that makes Ré one of the most incredible places in the world. They are normal waves that form a grid on the sea as if it were a chessboard.
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