• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

Wind Generated Rogue Waves in an Annular Wave Flume

A. Toffoli, D. Proment, H. Salman, J. Monbaliu, F. Frascoli, M. Dafilis, E. Stramignoni, R. Forza, M. Manfrin, and M. Onorato
Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 144503 – Published 7 April 2017
Physics logo See Focus story: Making Rogue Waves with Wind and Water

Abstract

We investigate experimentally the statistical properties of a wind-generated wave field and the spontaneous formation of rogue waves in an annular flume. Unlike many experiments on rogue waves where waves are mechanically generated, here the wave field is forced naturally by wind as it is in the ocean. What is unique about the present experiment is that the annular geometry of the tank makes waves propagating circularly in an unlimited-fetch condition. Within this peculiar framework, we discuss the temporal evolution of the statistical properties of the surface elevation. We show that rogue waves and heavy-tail statistics may develop naturally during the growth of the waves just before the wave height reaches a stationary condition. Our results shed new light on the formation of rogue waves in a natural environment.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 22 September 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.144503

© 2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Fluid Dynamics

Focus

Key Image

Making Rogue Waves with Wind and Water

Published 7 April 2017

Wind-generated waves in a ring-shaped water tank can spontaneously grow into single behemoth waves, mimicking a poorly understood ocean phenomenon.  

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

A. Toffoli1, D. Proment2, H. Salman2, J. Monbaliu3, F. Frascoli4, M. Dafilis5, E. Stramignoni6, R. Forza6, M. Manfrin6, and M. Onorato6,7

  • 1Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
  • 2School of Mathematics, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
  • 3K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 40, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
  • 4Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia
  • 5Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Art, and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia
  • 6Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 1, 10125 Torino, Italy
  • 7INFN, Sezione di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 1, 10125 Torino, Italy

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 118, Iss. 14 — 7 April 2017

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×