Why do whirlpools form in sinks?
Why do whirlpools form in sinks? When water goes down a drain, why does it cause a whirlpool? This is due to the Coriolis effect which is caused (believe it or not) by the Earth's rotation. In the southern hemisphere the water in your sink will actually swirl in the other direction.
Has a whirlpool ever sunk a ship?
In one tragic event in 1835, a two-masted schooner from Deer Island set sail with two brothers aboard. She went down in the whirlpool while the poor boys' mother watched in horror from shore as the schooner sank helplessly.
What happens when 2 whirlpools collide?
When the two whirlpools become entwined, their linked tails form a U-shaped vortex under the water, which can hold together for up to six months before falling apart.
What is the biggest whirlpool ever recorded?
The Saltstraumen maelstrom holds the Guinness world record for the strongest natural whirlpool in the world. This remarkable Norwegian eddy is estimated to have existed for over 3 millennia, when this coastal region had glaciers in its fjords and channels.
How far down do whirlpools go?
Whirlpools up to 10 metres (33 ft) in diameter and 5 metres (16 ft) in depth are formed when the current is at its strongest.