Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Earth

Storm waves can move boulders heavier than the Statue of Liberty

By Lucas Joel

10 January 2018

Âé¶¹´«Ã½. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Rogue waves can move rocks weighing hundreds of tonnes

Noel Moore/Alamy Stock Photo

MONSTROUS oceanic waves are able to transport boulders weighing hundreds of tonnes. The finding helps explain . It also implies that storm waves, and other rogue waves, can be more powerful and hazardous than previously thought.

Until recently, the heaviest rock known to have been transported by waves was about 200 tonnes. Now of Williams College in Massachusetts and her colleagues have found a new record holder: a 620-tonne boulder, equivalent to roughly

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with Âé¶¹´«Ã½ events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, today with our introductory offers

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop