The mast was installed in April to measure wind speed, wave height and sea currents.

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While other South American beaches might top Punta del Diablo in wave height or blueness of the water, few compare in terms of tranquillity.

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The project uses devices called wave rider buoys, installed about five nautical miles off Bragar and Siader in Lewis, to gather data about wave height and strength.

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Brighton and Hove Friends of the Earth gave "conditional support" to the project but said not enough had been done to protect the coast, while Surfers Against Sewage feared it could reduce wave height by 22%.

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This Ocean forecasting system could generate crucial forecast information, such as ocean circulation, sea surface temperature, wave height, to serve the needs of a variety of human activities related to marine hazards mitigation, oil and gas exploration, fisheries, navigation, marine parks management and coastal recreational activities.

UNESCO: All Events | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

They figured it was highly unlikely that a quake could be of greater magnitude or a wave of greater height.

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Conversely, a tsunami wave rolling up the channel would grow in height as it became increasingly constricted.

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The swells on both these sides allow for plenty of height and air time before zigzagging towards the shore -- each wave is a different adventure.

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On a September night in 2008, at the height of the financial crisis, I remarked to a colleague that the tidal wave of news that was then beginning to flood Washington would not likely recede until the next summer.

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