Rogue Waves

Rogue waves (also known as freak waves, monster waves, killer waves, extreme waves, and abnormal waves) are relatively large and spontaneous ocean surface waves that occur far out in sea, and are a threat even to large ships and ocean liners. In oceanography, they are more precisely defined as waves whose height is more than twice the significant wave height (SWH), which is itself defined as the mean of the largest third of waves in a wave record. Therefore rogue waves are not necessarily the biggest waves found at sea; they are, rather, surprisingly large waves for a given sea state. 

            

On March 3, a sudden wall of water hit a cruise ship sailing in the Mediterranean Sea off the northeastern coast of Spain, killing two people, injuring 14 and causing severe damage to the vessel. 

You can read more here: Cruise-Ship Disaster article

Below are some links to some amazing, yet terrifying rogue waves.

1. A real rogue wave video
2. Deadly Rogue Waves Rock Cruise Ship
3. Spectators hurt by rogue wave

Clams

Quahogs, or hard-shell clams, are shellfish that inhabit the mud flats along the eastern seaboard from Canada to Florida. These big guys are also called chowder clams and weigh in at a mighty 2-3 clams per pound.

  

Cherry stone is a half-grown quahog. It can be eaten raw or cooked. You'd get 6-11 cherry stone clams per pound.

    

The geoduck clam ("gooey duck") is a giant clam found in salt water around the coasts of the Pacific Northwest, mainly Washington State and British Columbia. The average weight of an adult fresh geoduck clam is 2 pounds.

      

Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Maps

ESI maps provide a concise summary of coastal resources that are at risk if an oil spill occurs nearby. Examples of at-risk resources include biological resources (such as birds and shellfish beds), sensitive shorelines (such as marshes and tidal flats), and human-use resources (such as public beaches and parks).


When an oil spill occurs, ESI maps can help responders meet one of the main response objectives: reducing the environmental consequences of the spill and the cleanup efforts. Additionally, ESI maps can be used by planners--before a spill happens--to identify vulnerable locations, establish protection priorities, and identify cleanup strategies.


Here is an example of an ESI map of San Diego, California.