Use of the half-cycle analysis method to compare measured wave height and simulated Gaussian data having the same variance spectrum

Using the half-cycle analysis method, a comparison is made between extreme events in half-hour intervals of hurricane Camille wave data and extreme events in synthesized Gaussian realizations having the same variance spectra as the measured data. While various statistical comparisons of measured and simulated Gaussian data reveal a consistent trend toward Gaussian behavior for the majority of wave events in the hurricane generated data, it is shown using the half-cycle analysis method that the more extreme wave events occurring near the height of the storm were distinctly non-Gaussian.