January 01

On January 1, 1739, French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier sighted a small island in the South Atlantic. He recorded its approximate coordinates during a voyage for the French Royal Navy. The landmass would later be named Bouvet Island and recognized as the most remote island on Earth. Harsh weather and iceberg-choked waters prevented an immediate landing. Bouvet's report paved the way for future expeditions to chart the island more accurately and study its unique environment.

Adopted in 1987, the Montreal Protocol entered into force on this date, marking the beginning of coordinated international action against ozone depletion. The treaty required signatory nations to reduce and eventually eliminate the production and consumption of CFCs and other harmful chemicals. It established a framework for scientific assessment, regular reviews, and adjustments to control measures. The Protocol has been unanimously ratified by nearly all countries, making it one of the most successful environmental agreements in history. Its implementation has led to measurable recovery of the ozone layer and significant climate benefits. The Protocol’s multilateral fund has also supported developing nations in meeting their obligations.

On this date, a pressure sensor platform off the coast of Norway recorded an unusually large wave over 25 meters high, later named the Draupner wave. Previously considered maritime folklore, freak waves were thought to be isolated incidents. The confirmation prompted a reevaluation of ship design and offshore platform safety standards. Oceanographers developed new models to explain the formation of such rogue waves, considering factors like current convergence and wave superposition. The discovery has since influenced navigation practices, risk assessments, and climate studies of ocean wave behavior. Research into freak waves continues to be a vital field for maritime safety and coastal engineering.