The Moskstraumen is a huge network of eddies off the coast of Norway.
An eddy is a rotating current of water that creates a characteristic vortex. Many myths and legends of the sea feature eddies, usually in situations involving great danger to navigation, and there are several famous eddies around the world that form constantly and frequently. An especially powerful eddy is known as a whirlpool; one of the most notable eddies is the Moskstraumen, an immense network of eddies and eddies off the coast of Norway.
Small boats can be significantly damaged when passing through a whirlpool.
Several things can lead to the formation of a whirlpool. Most commonly, eddies are caused by opposing currents meeting. When the currents are strong enough, they can begin to tangle, creating a rapidly spinning spiral of water. Eddy currents can also be caused by winds, which can cause surface currents to change direction, and constant eddies are sometimes caused by geographic features that determine the flow of water currents in a region.
Notable whirlpools include the Naruto Whirlpool in Japan.
When people hear the term “whirlpool,” they usually envision a vortex of water that is powerful enough to engulf ships. In fact, most eddies are not strong enough to destroy ships, and many appear almost invisible, with the currents in the eddy moving below the surface of the water. For a ship to be damaged in an eddy, the flow must be especially strong and the ship exceptionally small or fragile.
Eddy currents create a spinning vortex in the water.
Some notable whirlpools from around the world can be found in places like Scotland, where the Gulf of Corryvreckan often develops a whirlpool, along with Japan, where visitors can see the famous Naruto Whirlpool. Various smaller eddies come and go along the world’s coastlines and occasionally appear in rivers, lakes, and streams as well.
As any change in current can influence navigation, many boaters prefer to avoid eddies, especially if they are in charge of small boats. While large ships can often pass through a whirlpool without much trouble, small ships can be hit by the whirlpool and can be damaged or thrown off course. Major recurring eddies are often marked on charts for this reason.