Tsunami-like rogue wave hits Washington State beach (VIDEO)

A fast-moving rogue wave engulfed an entire beach area near Pacific Beach in Washington State’s Grays Harbor County.

Surreal video that captured the rare natural phenomenon last weekend was posted online. Fortunately nobody was injured when the massive wall of water flooded the area within a single minute.

No tsunami warnings were issued from any Pacific zone seismic event before the wave hit shore, but warnings were made by the National Weather Service on the dangerous surf.

These waves can theoretically happen anywhere when the conditions are right. Last fall, five British tourists died just off the coast of Tofino when a rogue wave capsized their 65-foot-long aluminum whale watching vessel.

Rogue waves can occur when multiple waves ‘combine’ to create a large wave, and factors for the creation of such waves include thermal expansion, wind direction, and seabed shape.

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