Extreme 3D ocean waves can reach heights 4x steeper than previously thought

Tank simulations and new models reveal that waves can go beyond our known limits. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. There is more to the ocean's waves than just rolling and breaking. Most waves are not unidirectional; they're not just moving across a two-dimensional plane, as described in many current models. Scientists studying the waves' three-dimensional properties have observed that waves moving in more than one direction at once can grow twice as steep before they break and even reach heights that are four times steeper than previously believed.