Science Pops Open, Ep. 18: Voice of a Storm Surge

Hurricane Katrina: 1,200 dead. Typhoon Hayian: 6,241 casualties. These storms offer just two examples of the damage caused around the world by storm surges, unexpected increases in sea level caused by storms.

Resulting in abnormally large waves striking the coast, this threat occurs much more frequently than the more famous tsunamis, yet the public and policy makers are considerably less aware. In addition, current detection systems operate on a global scale, missing local events, and have failed to provide early warnings in the past. A perfect storm surge of problems.

Dr. Emiliano Renzi has always been fascinated by the sea and, today, is putting his training in engineering and mathematics to use in developing a pioneering technology to warn of approaching storm surges. Surprisingly, his tool for predicting extreme ocean waves depends on sound waves! The same weather phenomenon that kicks up such events at the water’s surface creates a fast-moving acoustic wave that travels ahead of the surge. Dr. Renzi plans to use underwater microphones to pick up this signal that a dangerous storm surge is coming. He is currently testing his mathematical models on real-life situations and expects his hydrophone detection system to be ready in a few years’ time. The advance warning this could provide will aid in evacuation decisions and allow threatened coastal residents to reach safety.