Characteristics of Extreme Wave Groups

We discuss statistics of wave groups containing the maximal wave height over wave records of 20 minutes. These wave groups are called extreme wave groups (EWG´s). The concept of the EWG combines the two previously separately considered design factors of extreme waves and wave groups into a more severe storm seas wave action. The wave data used in this investigation consists of nearly 540 records of wave staff measurements in the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, we shall present (a) the dependence of EWG properties on the bandwidth of wave spectra, (b) the mean envelope shape of EWG´s, exhibiting distinct differences from the envelope shape of regular beats.