Sneaker wave
Encyclopedia
Sneaker wave is a popular term used to describe disproportionately large coastal waves that can sometimes appear in a wave train without warning. There is no scientific evidence or coverage of the phenomenon sneaker wave — as being a distinct sort of wave with respect to height or predictability — like there are on other extreme wave events such as rogue waves.
Because they are much larger than preceding waves, sneaker waves can catch unwary swimmers, washing them out to sea. It is not uncommon for people walking or standing on beaches and ocean jetties to also be washed into the sea. The term sneaker wave probably refers to a universal coastal phenomenon, but is mainly used in warnings and reports of incidents for the coasts of Northern California
, Oregon
and Washington in the United States
.
predicts that out of a certain number of waves, one will be much larger than the rest — "every seventh wave" is one common belief that has wide circulation and has entered popular culture through music and literature. These ideas have some scientific basis, along with a culture
-inflected fascination with the number 7. This saying may also serve to educate shore dwellers about the necessity of remaining vigilant when near the sea. There is no scientific evidence that these wave groups are related to sneaker waves.
Because they are much larger than preceding waves, sneaker waves can catch unwary swimmers, washing them out to sea. It is not uncommon for people walking or standing on beaches and ocean jetties to also be washed into the sea. The term sneaker wave probably refers to a universal coastal phenomenon, but is mainly used in warnings and reports of incidents for the coasts of Northern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and Washington in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Seventh wave
In many parts of the world, local folkloreFolklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
predicts that out of a certain number of waves, one will be much larger than the rest — "every seventh wave" is one common belief that has wide circulation and has entered popular culture through music and literature. These ideas have some scientific basis, along with a culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
-inflected fascination with the number 7. This saying may also serve to educate shore dwellers about the necessity of remaining vigilant when near the sea. There is no scientific evidence that these wave groups are related to sneaker waves.
External links
- National Park Service US Department of the Interior warning page
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department warning page
- Washington State Department of Ecology warning page
- Six-year-old seriously injured by sneaker wave at Cannon Beach kgw.com, 15 April, 2007
- "Sneaker Wave" pulls boy off log, out into ocean Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 30 March, 1998
- Ocean accident claims second child in two days The Columbian, 29 March, 1998