At the right angles where the waves meet the waves combine to create dramatically high points in the swell that can overwhelm swimmers and boats.
The danger of square waves gets extreme when the waves are big. Ships do better when they deal with waves head-on (or perpendicular), but when stuck in a cross-sea pattern it’s almost impossible not to get hit in the side by parallel waves. This wave pattern can pose more of a danger to ships and other sea vessels due to the unpredictable and strange pattern of the waves, which can either redirect a boat or cause it to tip and take on water. A cross wave pattern can cause unusual water movement that could make it hard for even experienced swimmers and surfers. The presence of square waves does not necessarily mean a rip current is always present, but swimmers should use extreme caution anyway. Are Square Waves Dangerous?Ĭross seas can be dangerous, but it’s important to note that square waves are not the same as rip currents. The formula is used to describe how weather patterns interact with one another. If you want to get really nerdy, scientists say that square waves are an example of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation which defines non-linear wave motion and patterns. This can happen anywhere in the ocean, but there are locations where it is more commonly seen thanks to local geographic conditions and typical weather patterns. The angle that these two different swells impact each other is great enough that the swells do not combine, but rather create a cross sea pattern. Square waves are formed when two different weather systems create waves that move towards each other and then converge. Square waves are also commonly called cross seas. The best wave to view them is from a high vantage point, and they are typically more often seen in certain geographical areas in the world. Square waves are an interesting ocean phenomenon caused by two competing weather systems causing waves to form at a right angle (90 degrees) to each other, creating a checkerboard pattern in the surf.
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