Why whirlpool occurs

Several things can lead to the formation of a whirlpool. Most commonly, whirlpools are caused by the meeting of opposing currents. When the currents are strong enough, they can start to wrap around each other, creating a spiral of rapidly swirling water. Whirlpools can also be caused by winds, which may cause surface currents to switch direction, and consistent whirlpools are sometimes caused by geographical features which determine the flow of water currents in a region.

In fact, most whirlpools are not nearly powerful enough to destroy ships, and many appear almost invisible, with the currents in the whirlpool moving below the surface of the water. In order for a ship to be damaged in a whirlpool, the flow must be especially strong, and the ship unusually small or flimsy. Whirlpools can also form in rivers and are very common at the bottom of waterfalls.

Always stay vigilant when swimming in natural bodies of water. Whirlpools can be very dangerous and can cause drowning. Despite the danger, whirlpools are a fascinating natural phenomenon.

Many people enjoy watching strong maelstroms spin away from the safety of dry land. Go for it—just keep a safe distance! C, CCRA. WATER you waiting for? Find a friend or family member to help you with the activities below! We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting feature. Thanks for your patience. Drag a word to its definition.

You have answered 0 of 3 questions correctly and your score is:. Want to add a little wonder to your website? Help spread the wonder of families learning together. We sent you SMS, for complete subscription please reply. Follow Twitter Instagram Facebook. What is a whirlpool? What causes whirlpools?

Wonder What's Next? Ready to get hands-on? Learn more about ocean currents in this experiment! Make sure an adult helps you, and check the supply list before getting started. Which of these would you most like to see in person?

Choose one and plan a trip to visit it. Will you drive or fly? They may then be moved along the sea floor by ocean currents. If the object can float, it may come back to the surface a long way from where the whirlpool is located. Did You Know? Large ships are generally in no danger from whirlpools, although some reports from ancient history say otherwise.

It is thought that the mythical Charybdis of the Greeks may have been a whirlpool off the coast of Sicily, capable of swallowing small ships. Small boats and swimmers must use caution around whirlpools. As with any other current, the moving water can overpower a swimmer and pull him beneath the water, causing drowning.