Whirlpool

ocean · water · nature

Water spins around. Whirlpools form when water moving in different directions meets and starts spinning in circles, kind of like when you swirl a glass of juice.

They happen everywhere. You see tiny whirlpools when you drain your bathtub, and enormous powerful ones can form in oceans and seas where currents collide.

Vortex has a downdraft. When a whirlpool is really strong and water gets pulled down into it, scientists call that special spinning motion a vortex.

Giant ones are maelstroms. The biggest and most dangerous whirlpools in the ocean are called maelstroms, and sailors have to be careful to avoid them.

Created by obstacles. Whirlpools often form when fast-moving currents slam into rocks, islands, or other objects that get in their way.