In December 2004, a photo of the biggest waves in the world traveled around all the editions of the world.December 26 earthquake occurred in Asia, which resulted in a wave-tsunami killed more than 235,000 people.The media published photos of destruction, assuring readers and viewers that such a large wave in the world ever had.But journalists evil ... Indeed, the destructive power of the tsunami in 2004 is one of the most deadly.But the value (height) of the wave is quite modest: it is slightly higher than 15 meters.History has higher waves, which can say: 'Yes, it is - the biggest wave in the world! ยป
Waves champions
- In 1792, Japan suffered another nightmare.6.4 magnitude earthquake triggered the collapse of Mount Unzen more.The breed, which fell into the sea, and the earthquake has led to the formation of a wave height of 100 meters.It completely wiped out the village, located close to the mountain.
- May 18, 1980 the biggest wave in the world (as it seemed) swept across Lake Spirit Lake.It hit a ton of molten lava, which came as a result of the earthquake which struck the lake from the volcano.There was an explosion.Its power can be compared to the explosion of 20 million tons of TNT.Wave, which was formed as a result of the explosion, reached 250 meters.People thought that the wall approaching at breakneck speed water out of the clouds.But that, as it turned out, not the biggest wave in the world.
- Today the record holder is a wave that destroyed Lituya Bay in Alaska.She also appeared as a result of the earthquake (8 points).It provoked a huge landslide: The lake is wedged among the rocks, with a collapsed height of kilometer 300 million. Cubic meters of frozen soil, rock, huge chunks of ice.Here then formed the biggest wave in the world: its height was 524 meters, and the speed - 160 kilometers.She leveled the scythe La Gauss pulled out all on the way the trees, destroyed several fishing boats.
Where are the big waves
Scientists believe that the highest waves are not caused by the earthquake (because they often produced a tsunami), and the ground collapses.That is why the high waves are most often:
- In Hawaii.Seismologists and oceanographers are worried that there may be a wave, exceeding a height of 1 km.Will it be the highest tide in the world?It is not clear.
- Canada.If you fall into the sea Mountain Breckenridge, then formed a wave can wash away several coastal towns.
- On the Canaries.Volcanic Chain Cumbre Vieja during an earthquake could collapse into the sea.Boiling lava, as it was in Spirit Lake, hitting into the water explode.West leaves a wave whose height is much more than a kilometer in height.
- same wave can be formed in the Cape Verde Islands.
... And other killer waves
danger not only giant wave.There are more terrible variety: single killer waves.They come from out of nowhere, their height rarely exceeds 15 meters.But the pressure that they have all encountered objects greater than 100 tons per centimeter (ordinary wave "crushed" with a force of 12 tons).These waves are scarcely studied.It is only known that the oil rigs and ships it crushes, like a sheet of plain paper.
