Image by Prof Frédéric Dias shows the emergence of giant rogue waves on a low amplitude wave background
A new project jointly led by UCD researcher Professor Frédéric Dias (UCD School of Mathematical Sciences, UCD CASL and UCD Earth Institute) aims to unravel the mysteries of the origin of rogue waves in the ocean by looking at analogies between ocean wave and optical wave physics. Freak or ‘rogue’ waves can arise rapidly in deep waters and are distinct from the more familiar tsunamis, which follow a disturbance of the seabed and tend to pose a threat to ports, shallower areas and shores.
The project will aim to investigate the physics of these large wave phenomena in detail, with an important aim being the development of early warning signatures that may allow one to predict in advance the conditions where rogue waves might be expected to appear.
The project, which officially started on April 1st 2012, was launched with a one day workshop which was held at UCD on April 19th. An important aspect of the workshop was to bring together leading researchers in various aspects of both optics and ocean wave science to identify new possibilities for collaboration and interaction.
Professor Dias is jointly leading the €1.8M European Research Council (ERC) funded project with optics expert Professor John Dudley from the Departments of Physics and Optics at the University of Franche-Comté and the CNRS in France. “Waves in hydrodynamics and optics share some common properties, such as dispersion and non-linearity,” explains Prof. Dias. “And the combination of these two properties can lead to the formation of some extreme waves.”
ERC Advanced Grants are extremely prestigious, funding cutting edge research by the very best research leaders in Europe. Projects funded by these grants are highly ambitious and pioneering, employing unconventional methodologies and investigations with the possibility of a major breakthrough with far reaching impact.
Professor Dias' project has also received additional funding of €203K from SFI, under the SFI ERC Support programme.
Related Links:
