In a groundbreaking study, novel research has revealed a concerning trend — waves are surging to greater heights and surf reaching at least 13 feet (approximately 4 metres) is becoming more frequent off the coast of California.

This escalating wave height has been attributed to the warming of the planet, as evidenced by meticulous analysis of seismic records dating back to 1931, an approach devised by Oceanographer Peter Bromirski at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

The study stands as a testament to the profound impact of climate change on oceanic dynamics and coastal regions, reported the Associated Press.

<h2>Seismic records unveil waves' escalating stature</h2>

The methodology employed by Bromirski is distinctive in its use of seismic records to chart the transformation in wave height.

As waves crash against the shore, they generate a reverberation of energy through the seafloor, a signal captured by seismographs designed to detect seismic activity.

The intensity of this signal correlates with the height of the waves.

Conventionally, wave height data relied on buoys deployed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but these records only extended back to 1980, limiting the ability to comprehensively analyse historical trends.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/move-over-blue-whale-scientists-discover-40-million-year-old-earths-biggest-animal-ever-621809">Not blue whale, this 40mn-year-old animal is largest ever to have lived on Earth</a>

<h2>Unearthing decades of data: A gruelling endeavour</h2>

To extend the timeline of investigation, Bromirski enlisted a team of undergraduate students to scrutinise seismic data spanning decades.

This painstaking endeavour involved digitising voluminous paper records, a process that unfolded over several years.

Despite its labour-intensive nature, this undertaking yielded invaluable insights into the evolution of wave heights along California's coast over nearly a century.

The results of this study were striking. Average wave heights during winter months have augmented by up to a foot since 1970, a period that coincides with the onset of accelerated global warming.

Moreover, occurrences of swells measuring at least 13 feet have doubled in frequency between 1996 and 2016, in contrast to the period from 1949 to 1969.

A notable revelation was the absence of prolonged periods of exceptionally low wave heights prior to 1970, a phenomenon that has become virtually non-existent in subsequent years.

Also watch |&nbsp;What caused record rainfall in Beijing &amp; North China?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-caused-record-rainfall-in-beijing-north-china-621993/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Implications for coastal communities&nbsp;</h2>

These escalating wave patterns are not confined to the realm of statistics.

They manifest in tangible ways, with cascading consequences for coastal regions. Erosion, coastal flooding, and damage to vital infrastructure have surged, particularly when coupled with the rising sea levels attributed to climate change. Bromirski emphasised that these changes amplify the likelihood of destructive events and their frequency, contributing to a heightened risk landscape.

Oceanographer Gary Griggs, from the University of California Santa Cruz, who spoke to the Associated Press, noted that while a one-foot increase in wave height over half a century might not seem dramatic, it aligns with the broader trends seen in the world’s oceans.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

In a groundbreaking study, novel research has revealed a concerning trend — waves are surging to greater heights and surf reaching at least 13 feet (approximately 4 metres) is becoming more frequent off the coast of California.

In a groundbreaking study, novel research has revealed a concerning trend — waves are surging to greater heights and surf reaching at least 13 feet (approximately 4 metres) is becoming more frequent off the coast of California. This escalating wave height has been attributed to the warming of the planet, as evidenced by meticulous analysis of seismic records dating back to 1931, an approach devised by Oceanographer Peter Bromirski at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The study stands as a testament to the profound impact of climate change on oceanic dynamics and coastal regions, reported the Associated Press. Seismic records unveil waves' escalating stature The methodology employed by Bromirski is distinctive in its use of seismic records to chart the transformation in wave height. As waves crash against the shore, they generate a reverberation of energy through the seafloor, a signal captured by seismographs designed to detect seismic activity. The intensity of this signal correlates with the height of the waves. Conventionally, wave height data relied on buoys deployed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but these records only extended back to 1980, limiting the ability to comprehensively analyse historical trends. Also read | Not blue whale, this 40mn-year-old animal is largest ever to have lived on Earth Unearthing decades of data: A gruelling endeavour To extend the timeline of investigation, Bromirski enlisted a team of undergraduate students to scrutinise seismic data spanning decades. This painstaking endeavour involved digitising voluminous paper records, a process that unfolded over several years. Despite its labour-intensive nature, this undertaking yielded invaluable insights into the evolution of wave heights along California's coast over nearly a century. The results of this study were striking. Average wave heights during winter months have augmented by up to a foot since 1970, a period that coincides with the onset of accelerated global warming. Moreover, occurrences of swells measuring at least 13 feet have doubled in frequency between 1996 and 2016, in contrast to the period from 1949 to 1969. A notable revelation was the absence of prolonged periods of exceptionally low wave heights prior to 1970, a phenomenon that has become virtually non-existent in subsequent years. Also watch | What caused record rainfall in Beijing & North China? Implications for coastal communities These escalating wave patterns are not confined to the realm of statistics. They manifest in tangible ways, with cascading consequences for coastal regions. Erosion, coastal flooding, and damage to vital infrastructure have surged, particularly when coupled with the rising sea levels attributed to climate change. Bromirski emphasised that these changes amplify the likelihood of destructive events and their frequency, contributing to a heightened risk landscape. Oceanographer Gary Griggs, from the University of California Santa Cruz, who spoke to the Associated Press, noted that while a one-foot increase in wave height over half a century might not seem dramatic, it aligns with the broader trends seen in the world’s oceans. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ocean waves are getting bigger as Earth gets warm, study says

The past five years were the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/our-battle-cry-is-against-climate-change-seychelles-president-danny-faure-tells-wion-on-world-environment-day--142217">warmest ever on record</a>, a NASA official said on Wednesday in New York.

"It's been hot," said Gavin Schmidt, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS). "The last five years have been the record warmest years that we've seen in a record that goes back to the 19th century and possibly even hundreds of years before that."

2018 marks the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/japan-heatwave-as-heatwave-intensifies-65-people-dead-22600-admitted-to-hospital--154020"> fourth warmest year since 1880</a> and ranks behind 2016, 2017 and 2015, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Temperatures in both 2016 and 2015 were lifted by an El Niño, a natural event which can disrupt weather patterns worldwide every few years and releases heat from the tropical Pacific Ocean into the atmosphere.

"The key issues in reducing emissions are moving towards renewable fuels for electricity, moving away from internal combustion engines for transport, sequestering carbon more efficiently in agriculture, making better decisions about how we organise our world so that we don't need so much energy," Schmidt said.

"But most of all, reducing the amount of coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels, and deforestation," he added.

Weather extremes in 2018 included wildfires in California and Greece, drought in South Africa and floods in Kerala, India. Record levels of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, trap ever more heat.

The outlook is for more sizzling heat approaching levels that most governments view as dangerous for the Earth.

"What kind of planet is a planet that's four or five degrees warmer than it is now? Well, we haven't seen that on Earth since about 3 million years ago in the Pliocene. At that point, we had forests all the way up to the Arctic Circle, there wasn't any ice," Schmidt informed.

"There was no Greenland and sea level was about 25 meters higher. That was a very different planet, and that's kind of where we're headed unless we do something about emissions."

The past five years were the warmest ever on record, a NASA official said on Wednesday in New York. "It's been hot," said Gavin Schmidt, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS).

The past five years were the warmest ever on record, a NASA official said on Wednesday in New York. "It's been hot," said Gavin Schmidt, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS). "The last five years have been the record warmest years that we've seen in a record that goes back to the 19th century and possibly even hundreds of years before that." 2018 marks the fourth warmest year since 1880 and ranks behind 2016, 2017 and 2015, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Temperatures in both 2016 and 2015 were lifted by an El Niño, a natural event which can disrupt weather patterns worldwide every few years and releases heat from the tropical Pacific Ocean into the atmosphere. "The key issues in reducing emissions are moving towards renewable fuels for electricity, moving away from internal combustion engines for transport, sequestering carbon more efficiently in agriculture, making better decisions about how we organise our world so that we don't need so much energy," Schmidt said. "But most of all, reducing the amount of coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels, and deforestation," he added. Weather extremes in 2018 included wildfires in California and Greece, drought in South Africa and floods in Kerala, India. Record levels of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, trap ever more heat. The outlook is for more sizzling heat approaching levels that most governments view as dangerous for the Earth. "What kind of planet is a planet that's four or five degrees warmer than it is now? Well, we haven't seen that on Earth since about 3 million years ago in the Pliocene. At that point, we had forests all the way up to the Arctic Circle, there wasn't any ice," Schmidt informed. "There was no Greenland and sea level was about 25 meters higher. That was a very different planet, and that's kind of where we're headed unless we do something about emissions."

2018 was fourth warmest year since 1880: NASA

warming-waters

Warming Waters, News on Warming Waters, stories on Warming Waters, articles on Warming Waters, Warming Waters stories at Wion, Warming Waters news, Warming Waters latest news

warming waters

Ocean waves are getting bigger as Earth gets warm, study says

2018 was fourth warmest year since 1880: NASA