Whirlpools have always been the source of legends and sailor fables: fictional sea creatures and even some gods hid here. According to one version, even Atlantis sank to the bottom, covered by a giant funnel. Many writers liked to emphasize the danger of whirlpools: researchers believe that even Homeric Scylla and Charybdis are nothing more than two whirlpools walking side by side. Now, with the development of technology, the sea element is no longer as terrible for ships as before. Nevertheless, there are still several such whirlpools in the world that seasoned sailors prefer to bypass. See where the largest and most dangerous whirlpools of our planet are located.
Saltstraumen. Norway
The strongest tidal current in the world nestles in a small strait. The water here develops an impressive 58 kilometers per hour. Up to 520,000,000 cubic meters of water flows through this narrow strait every six hours. Massive eddies up to 13 meters in diameter and 8 meters deep occur here when two different currents collide.
Moskstraumen. Pacific Ocean
Edgar Poe glorified this whirlpool in the mystical story Descent into the Whirlpool. Most whirlpools are caused by tides and currents, but Moskstraumen is located right in the open ocean. The whirlpool can reach 80 meters in diameter, which makes it dangerous even for large ships.
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Clyde Cruises. Corryvreckan Bay
Corryvreckan Bay, between two islands off the coast of Scotland, is home to the third largest whirlpool in the world. The noise of the water is heard tens of kilometers from the place itself. Scuba divers consider it one of the most dangerous diving spots in the whole UK.
Old Sow. Canada
Old Sow is the largest whirlpool in the western hemisphere. Its funnel reaches as much as 80 meters in diameter. During high tide, the rescue service blocks all the paths, because the current speed exceeds 40 km / h.
Naruto. Japan
Naruto's narrow strait is considered a dangerous place even for experienced sailors. At high tide, the water speed reaches 34 km / h, forming funnels with a diameter of as much as 30 meters.
BC Living. Canada
Rapids are what attracts thousands of kayakers to this dangerous place every year. Despite the high likelihood of their last race, people from all over the world are striving to British Columbia to test their strength in the fight against the water element.
French Pass. New Zealand
Between the island off the coast of New Zealand and the mainland, old French Pass is freely located. Most of the water flows through a narrow channel only 100 meters wide. Hundreds of people perished in this insidious place, dragged into the abyss by the inexorable elements.
Lake Pener. USA
The relatively calm lake has become a sailors' nightmare thanks to the carelessness of a few workers. In search of oil, drillers broke through the bottom of the lake and went straight into the salt mine. As a result, a huge whirlpool formed, instantly dragging 11 barges and several fishing boats into the abyss.
Niagara Falls. USA
Downstream of the famous Niagara Falls is the whirlpool. It was formed 4200 years ago, during a period of rapid soil erosion. The whirlpool can reach a depth of 60 meters - and it is he who is to blame for the death of many daredevils who decided to go through Niagara in an ordinary barrel.