Massive Wave In North Atlantic Sets New World Record, Scientists Say

A massive 62.3 foot wave in the North Atlantic measured by a buoy just broke a world record as the largest ever recorded, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced Tuesday.

The wave was recorded by the buoy on Feb. 4, 2013 between Iceland and the UK. Scientists say the enormous wave was linked to a very strong cold front which produced winds of up to 50 miles per hour.

This wave shattered the previous record of 59.96 feet measured on Dec. 8, 2007, which also took place in the North Atlantic. The highest waves usually occur there, rather than the Southern Ocean, because wind circulation patterns and atmospheric pressure in the North Atlantic in winter causes intense extra-tropical storms.

The WMO Commission for Climatology’s Extremes Evaluation Committee, which is made up of researchers from the U.S., UK, Canada and Spain, classified it as “the highest significant wave height as measured by a buoy.”

“This is the first time we have ever measured a wave of 19 meters. It is a remarkable record,” said WMO Assistant Secretary-General Wenjian Zhang. “It highlights the importance of meteorological and ocean observations and forecasts to ensure the safety of the global maritime industry and to protect the lives of crew and passengers on busy shipping lanes.”

The wave's record will be added to the official WMO archive of weather and climate extremes, the organization said. A wave’s height is defined as the distance from the crest of one wave to the trough of the next, the WMO said.