This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/06/dutch-unveil-worlds-biggest-wave-as-they-aim-to-save-dykes-from-destruction

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Dutch unveil world's biggest wave as they aim to save dykes from destruction Dutch create world's biggest artificial wave to test flood defences
(about 5 hours later)
Studying the oceans is a matter of survival for the below-sea-level-dwelling Dutch, and scientists in the Netherlands have now unveiled the world’s biggest manmade wave to prepare for the worst.Studying the oceans is a matter of survival for the below-sea-level-dwelling Dutch, and scientists in the Netherlands have now unveiled the world’s biggest manmade wave to prepare for the worst.
“Here we can test what happens if enormous waves hit our dykes,” said infrastructure minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen as she inaugurated the giant wave machine in the city of Delft on Monday.“Here we can test what happens if enormous waves hit our dykes,” said infrastructure minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen as she inaugurated the giant wave machine in the city of Delft on Monday.
The machine – named the Delta Flume – took three years to build and can send waves five metres high crashing down a 300-metre long and 9.5-metre deep channel.The machine – named the Delta Flume – took three years to build and can send waves five metres high crashing down a 300-metre long and 9.5-metre deep channel.
Four powerful pistons behind a seven-metre high metal shield push 9m litres down the channel at a speed of 1,000 litres a second.Four powerful pistons behind a seven-metre high metal shield push 9m litres down the channel at a speed of 1,000 litres a second.
The aim is to simulate the power of the oceans to help Dutch engineers build better flood defences. Half of the country’s population lives below sea level on reclaimed land.The aim is to simulate the power of the oceans to help Dutch engineers build better flood defences. Half of the country’s population lives below sea level on reclaimed land.
“Safety against floods is one of the main issues here in the Netherlands, so we want to test the dykes and the dunes,” said Bas Hofland, an expert in coastal defences.“Safety against floods is one of the main issues here in the Netherlands, so we want to test the dykes and the dunes,” said Bas Hofland, an expert in coastal defences.
“It is not possible to make it at a small scale, so we must have real life-scale dykes and dunes.”“It is not possible to make it at a small scale, so we must have real life-scale dykes and dunes.”
After a centuries-long battle with the oceans, the Netherlands now calls itself the safest delta in the world – thanks to a network of dykes and dunes stretching over hundreds of miles.After a centuries-long battle with the oceans, the Netherlands now calls itself the safest delta in the world – thanks to a network of dykes and dunes stretching over hundreds of miles.
“The water and its logistics are those sectors for which the Netherlands is known around the world,” Schultz van Haegen said.“The water and its logistics are those sectors for which the Netherlands is known around the world,” Schultz van Haegen said.