Extreme waves larger than 10 feet (3 metres) off Australia's southern coast have become more frequent over the past 45 years.
While Australian surfers have long enjoyed high surf, the extreme waves that often pound the country’s southern shores are becoming far too large and frequent for comfort.
Australian researchers say buoys that measure ocean waves off Tasmania have found that an increase in wave heights and a counterclockwise rotation of wave direction is occurring due to a southern shift in intense subtropical storms.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said such extreme surf “can be destructive, leading to coastal inundation, erosion and the disturbance of marine habitats.”
Researchers say the higher and more frequent waves are due to climate change.
Photo: North Shore Surf Photos - Fotolia