Search

In this study, the relation between rogue wave occurrence statistics and properties of the directional wind-wave spectrum is investigated. The study is conducted by means of the fully nonlinear phase-resolving numerical model and the high-order spectral model. Benjamin-Feir Index (BFI ), Π numbers and Modulation Index, which are designed to represent instabilities in nonlinear wave systems, are used as indicators for the occurrence of rogue waves. Rogue wave statistics and indicator parameters' performance are assessed based on numerical simulations and compared against in situ measurements. Directional Π 2 is found to be the best performing indicator. It is also observed that probability of rogue wave occurrence further peaks up at high directionality where modulational instability should be suppressed. It is argued that this condition is associated with the linear superposition of waves coming from different directions. Therefore, both directionality and instability, i.e. both linear and nonlinear effects, appear to be important physical mechanisms contributing to the extreme wave statistics. However, it is also argued that rogue wave occurrence is a transient (fast) event and cannot be accurately represented with conventional probability distribution functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]