Reading up on the scientific mystery of ‘rogue waves’

We spoke to Brian Hickey, community editor for the Germantown/West Oak Lane section, about “The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean,” by Susan Casey. It’s a look at large “rogue waves” exceeding 100 feet in height in relation to surfing, boating, and the dangers they present at sea and on shore.

Summer affords many book lovers a little extra time to luxuriate between the covers. And we’re curious to hear what our NewsWorks cohort are finding of interest.

We spoke to Brian Hickey, community editor for the Germantown/West Oak Lane section, about “The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean,” by Susan Casey. It’s a look at large “rogue waves” exceeding 100 feet in height in relation to surfing, boating, and the dangers to life and property they present at sea and on shore.

Unlike a tsumani, which scientists can track, a rogue wave comes out of nowhere and whallops a boat or a coastline.

At times it read like science fiction, says Hickey. “There’s a reference to a 1,700-foot wave that just ravaged an island in Alaska.”