Nazaré Canyon
The Nazaré Canyon is an undersea canyon just off the coast of Nazaré (Portugal), in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. It has a maximum depth of at least 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) and is about 230 kilometres (140 mi) long.[1]
The canyon is being studied as part of the EU HERMES project using a remotely operated vehicle. The project is investigating the specialised canyon ecosystems, sediment transport and deposition, and the way in which the canyon influences and is affected by local ocean circulation.[2]
Surfing
The Nazare Canyon causes very high breaking waves.[3] This makes Nazare a hotspot for big wave surfing.
In November 2011, Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara surfed a record breaking giant wave: 78 feet (24 m) from trough to crest, at Nazaré.[4] In January 2013 it was reported that he successfully rode a wave measuring a maximum estimate of 100 feet (30 m) at the same location and possibly exceeding the size of his previous record-breaking wave.[5]
References
- ↑ "NAZARÉ CANYON". Portuguese Hydrographic Institute. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
- ↑ "Submarine canyons". eu-hermes.net. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ↑ "The Mechanics of the Nazaré Canyon wave". surfertoday.com.
- ↑ http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/05/08/mcnamara-claims-record-for-biggest-wave-ever-surfed/
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21257762
- BBC - Garrett McNamara surfs 'highest ever' wave off Portugal.
- Robot sub explores giant canyon Shukman, David, (2007, June 19). In BBC News Online. Retrieved 02:02, June 20, 2007, from
- Physical processes in the Nazare Canyon area and related sedimentary impacts Vitorino, J., A. Oliveira and J. Beja, Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 7, 10187, 2005 SRef-ID: 1607-7962/gra/EGU05-A-10187
External links
Coordinates: 39°31′N 9°55′W / 39.51°N 9.92°W