Pseudospectra of the damped wave equation with unbounded damping

We analyze pseudospectra of the generator of the damped wave equation with unbounded damping. We show that the resolvent norm diverges as $\Re z \to - \infty$. The highly non-normal character of the operator is a robust effect preserved even when a strong potential is added. Consequently, spectral instabilities and other related pseudospectral effects are present.