Speaker: Tuba Özkan-Haller, Dean, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University

Topic: 

Beauty and the Beast: Sneaker Waves in the Pacific Northwest 

Waves in the Pacific Northwest are some of the most majestic in the world. Their presence and power shape the coastline from the headlands to the wide-open beaches, their impact fuels a healthy ecosystem, their energy is the envy of renewable energy experts, and their beauty delights beach goers. Yet, waves in the PNW can also be deadly, surprising unsuspecting beach goers and dragging them into the frigid deep waters of the ocean. Every year, numerous near-misses are attributed to such “sneaker waves,” and most years multiple lives are lost in sneaker wave incidents. 

This talk will discuss the latest research on understanding and predicting sneaker waves in the PNW. Come learn more about what these deadly beauties are all about, how lives have been impacted by them in the recent past, what causes them, and how to avoid being harmed by them.