Wild Waves

Wild Waves

​When weather conditions are just right, huge waves hit Cortes Bank. Those waves make it a favorite spot for surfers. But this area is different from other surfing spots. Cortes Bank is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and about 100 miles from any land.

​Ridge Makes Rough Waters

​Cortes Bank is the site of some of the largest and fastest waves in the world. The bank is a rugged, rocky, undersea ridge about 100 miles west of San Diego, California. In some places, the ridge is only 3 feet below the ocean's surface.

​Ridge Makes Rough Waters

​Strong winds from winter storms sweep across the ocean's surface. The winds push the water, causing huge waves to form when the water rushes over Cortes Bank. Because there is no land to slow the water after the bank, the waves stay large.

According to weather experts, Cortes Bank produces waves that are more than 70 feet high. That's as tall as a seven-story building! Some waves move at more than 30 miles per hour. Cortes Bank is considered one of the hardest places to surf in the world.

Multiple Choice

What makes Cortes Bank a favorite spot for surfers?

• the location of Cortes Bank

• the huge waves at Cortes Bank

• the rocky ridge at Cortes Bank

• the color of the water at Cortes Bank

Multiple Choice

What does the author describe in the passage?

• how the Cortes Bank underwater ridge was formed

• how surfers travel to Cortes Bank to surf

• why the waves at Cortes Bank are so large

Multiple Choice

Cortes Bank is one of the hardest places to surf in the world. What evidence from the passage best supports this conclusion?

• Cortes Bank produces waves that are over 70 feet high.

• The huge waves make Cortes Bank a favorite surfing spot.

• Cortes Bank is an undersea ridge 100 miles west of California.

Multiple Choice

What kind of surfers are likely to surf at Cortes Bank?

• beginner surfers

• young surfers

• expert surfers

Multiple Choice

What is this passage mostly about?

• large waves at Cortes Bank

• how underwater ridges form

• favorite surfing spots in California

• the geography of California 

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentences: “Strong winds from winter storms sweep across the ocean's surface. The winds push the water, causing huge waves to form when the water rushes over Cortes Bank.”

As used in this sentence, what does the word “sweep” mean?

• push something with a broom

• move quickly or forcefully

• move slowly or gently

• to clean

Multiple Choice

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

Cortes Bank can have huge waves, _____ it is a favorite surfing spot for surfers.

• but

• after

• so

• then

Multiple Choice

Why do the waves stay huge at Cortes Bank?

• because there is no land nearby to slow the water down after the wave passes over the bank

• because it is a favorite spot to surf for experienced surfers

• because some of the waves are more than 70 feet high

Open Ended

Why is Cortes Bank considered one of the hardest places in the world to surf? Give at least two reasons (and write in complete sentences).