Anatomy Of A Big Wave -- Mavericks Revealed

Scientists at California State University at Monterey Bay have discovered why the state's most famous big wave -- Mavericks, off the coast south of San Francisco -- is so big. The wave, which draws some of the world's best surfers for an annual surfing contest, can reach up to 50 feet tall. Researchers uncovered the mystery this spring while conducting the most detailed mapping yet of the ocean floor off California's coast. Using multibeam echo sounders, workers in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have been trolling up and down the coast taking detailed sonar readings of the ocean floor. To do this, several sonar beams are pointed at a 75-degree angle from the boat to cover a wide swath of seafloor...