Analysis of meteorological and oceanic conditions during freak wave events in the Indian Ocean

Abstract

Unexpected occurrences of freak waves endanger safe navigation and operational activities in the ocean. To reduce the potential marine accidents, many oceanographers have investigated the probability and mechanism of freak wave occurrences and discussed some relevant environmental factors leading to freak wave generations. However, study on the occurrence of freak waves in the Indian Ocean is very limited. In this study, the existence of freak waves is shown in the north Indian Ocean using observed moored buoy data. Fifty five freak wave events are reported by analyzing available buoy data from the year 2009–2017. All of the events occurred in a combined sea state of swell and wind sea. This study further provides a detailed analysis of the met-ocean conditions, which took place during some selected incidents of the freak wave in the north Indian Ocean. The commonly observed factors during the freak wave events in the north Indian Ocean are cross sea condition, increase in wind speed, rapid development in the sea state and steepness is greater than 0.01. Our analysis supports the fact that swell and wind sea make a coupled system during freak wave events.