The test of a wave
Waves measuring 27ft from peak to trough were seen off Land’s End as the stormy weather continued. How do these compare with the highest waves ever measured?
— Waves of 67ft were measured by a buoy off the coast of Donegal in December 2011, the highest found around the British Isles.
— The highest wave yet recorded during a storm was one of 91ft during Hurricane Ivan in August 2005.
— A landslip in Lituya Bay, Alaska, on 9 July 1958 created a local tsunami which tore down trees 200ft above sea level. Water directly opposite the landslip site splashed to a height of 1,720ft, tearing down trees even at that height.
Comparison shopping
Retailers have begun to publish their sales figures for the pre-Christmas period. Where are we spending more, and where less?
| Type of shop | Annual change in spending to end of November |
| Predominantly food | +2.9% |
| Household goods | -3% |
| Petrol stations | -4% |
| Internet and mail order | +14.1% |
Source: ONS
The young and the reckless
Some patients are turning up at Accident and Emergency 50 times a year, it was revealed. Who attends A&E?
| Age group | % of A&E visitors |
| 0–9 | 14% |
| 10–19 | 13% |
| 20–29 | 16% |
| 30–39 | 12% |
| 40–49 | 12% |
| 50–59 | 9% |
| 60–69 | 8% |
| 70–79 | 7% |
| 80+ | 8% |
| Age unrecorded | 1% |
| 51% were male, 48% female, with 1% whose sex went unrecorded | |
Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre
Quick and dirty
A stretch of the M1 near Rotherham is to have a 60mph speed limit to cut pollution. How much more pollution does a car emit at 110kph (69mph) than 100kph (62mph)?
| PETROL CAR | |
| Carbon monoxide | +40% |
| Hydrocarbons | +11% |
| Nitrous oxides | -5% |
| DIESEL CAR | |
| Carbon monoxide | -7% |
| Hydrocarbons | -2% |
| Nitrous oxides | +20% |
| PM (soot) particles | +7% |
Source: European Environment Agency
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