Mediterranean Cruise Ship Hit By Rogue Wave: Violent Earth

A series of 26-foot waves crashed into a cruise ship off the northeast coast of Spain on Wednesday, killing two passengers and injuring 14 others, according to officials and news reports.

Louis Cruise Lines spokesman Michael Maratheftis said the ship was hit by three “abnormally high” waves up to 26 feet (8 meters) high that broke glass windshields in the forward section.

“The next cruise has been canceled,” and the Louis Majesty will remain in Barcelona for repairs, Maratheftis said.  The vessel is due to resume cruises on March 14, according to CNN.

Although researchers and scientists have made incredible progress in developing technology and furthering our understanding of how the earth works, determining where and when the next disaster will strike continues to be a challenge.

The film Violent Earth, focuses entirely on how scientists track and predict natural disasters — volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc.  National Geographic’s film crew meets up with tsunami scientist Jose Borrero of the University of Southern California after the 2004 tsumani, a wave so strong it actually moved the island of Sumatra a hundred feet.  Watch Violent Earth here.