Extreme wave events driven by extratropical ciclones off the Death Coast

Abstract

Extreme wave storms are severe events with low frequency of occurrence, driven by intense, extense and persistent wind fields, and with important implications for offshore and coastal human activities, as well as for the environment. This study examines some relevant characteristics of wave storms and their relation to the driving atmospheric synoptic conditions, for the strongest annual wave events in the period 1998-2018, off the Death Coast (Costa da Morte), northwest coast of Galicia, Spain. Results reveals that this zone is an energetic and swell dominated enduring severe wave conditions, mainly associated to its exposure to deep and persistent extratropical depressions passing through the region, following a clear seasonal pattern.