How do bubble rings form in water?

[ManDay]

Can anyone explain how this works?



Couldn't believe it was air in the water when I first saw it. But it appears to be genuine. I know some deal about quantum theories but am stunned like a dog in front of a mirror by these bubbles in the water - help me out!

 

[Andy Resnick]

That's pretty cool, never seen it before.

After watching some of the other videos, I think it's a lot like a smoke ring: a vortex loop.

Making those would make for an impressive lab demo.

 

[ManDay]

Sure it's said to be a vertex ring, it's said on wikipedia (wellwell...) too. But retaining a vertexring with smoke appears to be something else than THIS, UNDERWATER - I bet you feel what I mean.

 

[LURCH]

I would be interested in recordings of ultrasound during this type of activity, to see if they might be using soundwaves to fine-tune some of the bubble's behavior. Obviously, they're using their own bow-wake to do most of the manipulating.