Justice Hunter said:Any idea as to why Whirlpools, and maelstrom's aren't as large, or as powerful as tornado's and hurricane's?
Does it have to deal with the energy capacity difference between the air (being a gas) and water (being liquid)?
Hornbein said:There are very extensive circular currents that are as large as hurricanes. I'd guess that such currents have a lot more angular momentum than a hurricane. The effects aren't as dramatic, though.
Here is a site with some basic data concerning circular ocean currents.DuckAmuck said:What are the current speeds compared to hurricane wind speeds?
Tornadoes and hurricanes are larger than whirlpools because they are formed by different mechanisms and take place in different environments. Tornadoes and hurricanes are caused by strong, rotating winds in the atmosphere, while whirlpools are caused by the movement of water in a circular motion. Additionally, tornadoes and hurricanes occur in the open atmosphere, which allows them to grow to a much larger size, while whirlpools are confined to smaller bodies of water.
It depends on the size and strength of the whirlpool. While tornadoes and hurricanes can cause widespread destruction and loss of life, whirlpools are usually much smaller and have a more localized impact. However, some large and powerful whirlpools, such as the Charybdis in the Strait of Messina, have been known to be dangerous for ships and small boats.
No, a whirlpool cannot grow to the size of a tornado or hurricane. As mentioned earlier, tornadoes and hurricanes are formed by strong winds in the atmosphere, while whirlpools are formed by the movement of water. The two phenomena are fundamentally different and have different physical limitations.
Whirlpools typically do not cause as much damage as tornadoes and hurricanes because they occur in smaller bodies of water and have a more localized impact. Tornadoes and hurricanes, on the other hand, can cover large areas and cause widespread destruction. Additionally, whirlpools are not as well-studied and monitored as tornadoes and hurricanes, so they may not receive as much media coverage.
Unlike tornadoes and hurricanes, which can be predicted using advanced weather forecasting technology, it is difficult to predict when and where a whirlpool will form. Whirlpools can be caused by various factors such as ocean currents, tides, and underwater topography, making it challenging to predict their formation. However, some larger whirlpools, such as the Maelstrom in Norway, have predictable patterns due to the consistent flow of water in the area.