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World's Largest Wave Sets Record At 19 Metres High

It was created by a cold front with 80 kph winds.

The highest significant wave ever measured by a buoy was recorded in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The wave was 19 metres high, and was measured between Iceland and the U.K., according to the World Meteorological Association (WMO). That's taller than a six-storey building.

The WMO says the wave, which was recorded in a cold front on Feb. 4, 2013, beat the previous record of 18 metres. The winds driving this wave were hitting speeds of up to 43.8 knots — or over 80 kph.

"It is a remarkable record."

“This is the first time we have ever measured a wave of 19 meters. It is a remarkable record,” said Wenjian Zhang, assistant secretary-general of the WMO in a release.

Significant wave heights are measured from the crest of one wave to the trough of the next.

The organization says the highest waves usually happen in the area off Canada's coast near Newfoundland, to south of Iceland and off the west coast of the U.K.

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