Ever heard of a cross-sea? Here’s all about this beautiful danger
Ever heard of a cross sea? No, it’s not a sea that is angry with you for some reason, but one that is full of waves which are cross with each other! Imagine a sea full of little patches of waves at ninety-degree angles to each other, breaking up the entire water surface into small sections. This is what a cross sea is!
A cross-sea, also called a square wave, is a rare phenomenon occurring on the ocean surface. It might be a beautiful sight to behold but is also extremely dangerous. It can appear, vanish and reappear within a span of a few minutes. This phenomenon mostly occurs in shallow waters. It creates a chessboard pattern of strong waves. If you ever encounter a cross-sea, don’t get caught in it, for it can easily make you lose your way. However, the chances of you encountering a cross-sea are extremely low as it is a rare occurrence. Curious to know what the reason behind a square wave formation is? Read on to explore why the sea gets so cross!
The formation
A cross-sea is formed when two waves travel at oblique angles. This occurs when the wind pushes the waves in one direction and the swell (a series of waves) pushes them in another. The two waves collide to create square patterns on the surface of the sea, hence the name square wave. This is how a cross-sea is formed. But how dangerous can cross-sea become for swimmers and ships? Scientists believe square waves might be responsible for many accidents that happened through history. So, try not to get lost in the beauty of cross sea!
Cross Sea, a beautiful danger!
Many swimmers and sailors think of a cross-sea as a hazard for the right reasons! A square wave is usually associated with powerful tides that can put swimmers in danger. It generates tall waves up to 10 feet, capable of tripping over large boats. A cross-sea is a suspect in many shipwrecks that have occurred throughout history. As a safety precaution, many life savers warn people not to enter the water in case of a cross-sea. As per the European Space Agency (ESA), square waves might be responsible for many ship accidents that happened between 1995 to 1999. If you really want to witness this phenomenon, you might be able to see one at Île de Ré island in France!
Île de Ré Island: An island full of cross seas
If you are looking for a place to witness these strange wave patterns, look no further! Île de Ré is an island located near the coast of La Rochelle in France. It is one of the most famous places in the world for cross-seas. Many people visit this place to witness square wave formation on the ocean surface. People usually climb a lighthouse for a better view. It is quite an adventure! You,’ll also find pictures of cross sea on the internet observed in specific regions in France, Portugal and United Kingdom. Square waves have also been observed in the waters of the South Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. Scientists believe that the specific weather patterns and geographic features might be the reason for square waves formation in these places.