![]() Every year thousands of people are rescued by coastguards and lifeguards along the West and East Coasts of the United States, while approximately 100 people lose their lives. ![]() A cross sea (also referred to as a squared sea or square waves a) is a sea state of wind-generated ocean waves that form nonparallel wave systems. Panicked swimmers counter rip currents by trying to swim back to the shore but risk drowning due to fatigue. The waves themselves are examples of cnoidal waves. The current drag swimmers and small boats further into the ocean. Rip currents are narrow channels of powerful fast-moving water prevalent along the coast. Are Cross Seas and Rip Currents Similar?Ĭross waves differ from rip currents. They are relatively rare and can appear and disappear within a matter of minutes. They pull surfers and swimmers far into the ocean while rocking boats and ships from all directions. Generally, cross waves are impressive to look at, but in the real sense, they are extremely dangerous even in small swells. Cross waves are not permanent, they lose energy as they travel, and the local winds can also interfere, causing the square pattern to fade away. Visitors are advised to stay out of the ocean during the waves. They are common at the Isle of Rhe in France where they attract a significant number of tourists. Square waves can occur in any part of the ocean as long as the conditions are right. Cross waves are more dangerous than riptides as the square pattern makes it difficult to navigate. ![]() Above the surface, the waves appear gentle, but what lurks beneath are currents strong enough to wreck ships. When waves traveling in different directions collide they create the square pattern of the cross sea. Without the presence of the local winds to disrupt the swells, they travel over vast distances. Waves travel for hundreds of miles over the sea surface, and even on a calm day, storms raging far in the ocean can create rolling waves known as swells. The distinguishing feature is that the angles are occasionally greater than 45°. Square waves are caused by two different sets of waves converging at different angles. The waves appear gentle on the surface, but they are strong enough to steer swimmers, surfers, boats, and even large ships into unintended courses. Square waves, also known as cross sea or cross waves, are square-shaped grids that form on the surface of the ocean. Just leave the water immediately when you witness this phenomenon, and you’ll avoid potentially deadly riptides, something even experienced swimmers should avoid.What Causes Square Waves In The Ocean? A cross sea is caused by two sets of waves converging at different angles. So, if you see square waves in the ocean, they are as dangerous as you’ve heard, but mostly in the deep. If you happen to be in a small boat and not very far out, then it is likely that you are going to be okay. However brief, when two weather systems are colliding like this, you can get waves as high as 10 feet, and the design of ships, fine for a single weather system, are in very real danger of rolling when this occurs. In fact, scientists around the globe are involved in square wave studies looking at dangerous cross seas and the occurrence of rogue waves. When ships observe a cross sea, however, it is a different story. Plus, they don’t tend to last very long, sometimes dissipating in minutes. As they form near the coast, in areas where tourists gather, swimmers will have been warned in advance, and these ripples can even be quite safely observed in depths of water only inches deep. ![]() Most swimmers who see square waves in the ocean are going to be in relatively shallow water and have a good chance of getting out of it once they’ve noticed. While the rip tides CAN pose a danger to swimmers, most of the information you see in this regard is a bit exaggerated in order to get your attention. Cross waves are more of a danger to ships than to people While it manifests as an orderly grid pattern that may span the water for as far as you can see or simply form near the shallow waters of the beach, what you are observing is not the product of something below, but rather two weather systems colliding. This is due to the nature of what you are seeing. Violent riptides are ready to pluck even the strongest swimmers from surface safety to the depths below, and not only this, but ships have even been tossed about when encountering these wave systems. Square waves are also called a ‘cross sea’… and for a good reasonĪ cross-sea is exactly as it sounds. So, what causes them, and just how dangerous are they? Let’s explore this anomaly so that you can get a better idea of why it’s a good idea to stay away from the water if you spot dangerous cross waves. Square waves are beautiful, amazing, and potentially deadly. Square waves in the ocean are a phenomenon that you may observe on the Isle de Ré in France and in some parts of New Zealand.
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