Scientists detect waves up to 35 meters high from space
Satellite data confirmed the record-breaking swells that powered Hawaii’s Eddie Aikau Invitational surfing competition and massive waves at Maverick’s in California.
In December 2024, a powerful storm system over the Pacific Ocean generated one of the most intense swell events ever recorded. New data from the European Space Agency has confirmed that the storm produced waves of unprecedented size, with peaks surpassing 115 feet (35 meters), according to measurements taken by the SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) satellite.
Tallest waves ever measured from space
On December 21, the satellite detected average wave heights of nearly 65 feet (19.7 meters), with individual crests reaching 115 feet — the tallest waves ever measured from space.
Swell reaches Hawaii for legendary surf event
The same giant swell hit Hawaii’s north shore the following day, creating the perfect conditions for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay. Surfers faced waves over 50 feet high (15 meters), and local favorite Landon McNamara took home the title in what many called a legendary day for big-wave surfing.
Historic surf session in California
By December 23, the swell had reached California’s coast, lighting up the famed break at Maverick’s. Santa Cruz surfer Alo Slebir rode a 76-foot (23-meter) wave — one of the biggest ever surfed at the spot. While it didn’t top Sebastian Steudtner’s world record, the session was widely described as historic.
Understanding the power of open-ocean storms
“These waves act like messengers from the ocean,” explained oceanographer Fabrice Ardhuin, the study’s lead author. “Even when a storm never makes landfall, its energy can travel thousands of miles and deliver powerful impacts to distant coastlines.”
The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, not only documents a once-in-a-generation event but also highlights new opportunities for research into how climate change could be fueling stronger storms over open water. Scientists are already developing models that could help predict these extreme ocean events and their far-reaching consequences.
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