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A '''maelstrom''' is a very [[powerful]] whirlpool; a large, swirling [[body]] of water. A free [[vortex]], it has considerable downdraft.
A '''maelstrom''' is a very [[powerful]] whirlpool; a large, swirling [[body]] of water. A free [[vortex]], it has considerable downdraft.
The Scandinavian [[word]] (malström or malstrøm) was introduced into [[English]] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar Allen Poe Edgar Allan Poe] in his story "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Descent_into_the_Maelstr%C3%B6m A Descent into the Maelström]" (1841). In turn, the Nordic word derives from the Dutch, modern spelling maalstroom, from malen (to grind) and strom (stream), to form the meaning grinding current.[1]
The Scandinavian [[word]] (malström or malstrøm) was introduced into [[English]] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar Allen Poe Edgar Allan Poe] in his story "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Descent_into_the_Maelstr%C3%B6m A Descent into the Maelström]" (1841). In turn, the Nordic word derives from the Dutch, modern spelling maalstroom, from malen (to grind) and strom (stream), to form the meaning grinding current.[1]
==Notable maelstroms==
==Notable maelstroms==
*Moskstraumen
*Moskstraumen
In Norwegian the most frequently used name is Moskstraumen or Moskenstraumen (current of [island] Mosken).
In Norwegian the most frequently used name is Moskstraumen or Moskenstraumen (current of [island] Mosken).
The [[fiction]]al depictions of the Maelstrom by Edgar Allan Poe and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules Verne Jules Verne] describe it as a gigantic [[circular]] [[vortex]] that reaches the bottom of the ocean, when in [[fact]] it is a set of currents and crosscurrents with a rate of 18 km.[3]
The [[fiction]]al depictions of the Maelstrom by Edgar Allan Poe and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules Verne Jules Verne] describe it as a gigantic [[circular]] [[vortex]] that reaches the bottom of the ocean, when in [[fact]] it is a set of currents and crosscurrents with a rate of 18 km.[3]
*Saltstraumen
*Saltstraumen
*Corryvreckan
*Corryvreckan
The Corryvreckan is the third largest whirlpool in the world, and is on the northern side of the Gulf of Corryvreckan, between the islands of Jura and Scarba off the coast of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland Scotland]. Flood tides and inflow from the Firth of Lorne to the west can drive the waters of Corryvreckan to waves of over 30 feet (9 m), and the roar of the resulting maelstrom can be heard ten miles (16 km) away.
The Corryvreckan is the third largest whirlpool in the world, and is on the northern side of the Gulf of Corryvreckan, between the islands of Jura and Scarba off the coast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland Scotland]. Flood tides and inflow from the Firth of Lorne to the west can drive the waters of Corryvreckan to waves of over 30 feet (9 m), and the roar of the resulting maelstrom can be heard ten miles (16 km) away.
A [[documentary]] team from Scottish independent producers Northlight Productions once threw a mannequin into the Corryvreckan ("the Hag") with a life jacket and depth gauge. The mannequin was swallowed and spat up far down current with a depth gauge reading of 262 feet with [[evidence]] of being dragged along the bottom for a great distance. The programme was transmitted in the UK by Channel 4 under the title "Lethal Seas", while in the US on the Discovery Channel (the co-production partner) it was known as "Sea Twister!"[4]
A [[documentary]] team from Scottish independent producers Northlight Productions once threw a mannequin into the Corryvreckan ("the Hag") with a life jacket and depth gauge. The mannequin was swallowed and spat up far down current with a depth gauge reading of 262 feet with [[evidence]] of being dragged along the bottom for a great distance. The programme was transmitted in the UK by Channel 4 under the title "Lethal Seas", while in the US on the Discovery Channel (the co-production partner) it was known as "Sea Twister!"[4]
*Skookumchuck Narrows is a tidal rapids that develops whirlpools, on the Sunshine Coast (British Columbia), Canada.
*Skookumchuck Narrows is a tidal rapids that develops whirlpools, on the Sunshine Coast (British Columbia), Canada.
==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
Two of the most notable [[literary]] [[references]] to the Lofoten Maelstrom date from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Century nineteenth century]. The first is the Edgar Allan Poe story "A Descent into the Maelström" (1841). The second is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20,000_Leagues_Under_the_Sea 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea] (1869), the famous [[novel]] by Jules Verne. At the end of this novel, Captain Nemo seems to commit [[suicide]], sending his Nautilus submarine into the Maelstrom (although in Verne's sequel Nemo and Nautilus survived).
Two of the most notable [[literary]] [[references]] to the Lofoten Maelstrom date from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Century nineteenth century]. The first is the Edgar Allan Poe story "A Descent into the Maelström" (1841). The second is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20,000_Leagues_Under_the_Sea 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea] (1869), the famous [[novel]] by Jules Verne. At the end of this novel, Captain Nemo seems to commit [[suicide]], sending his Nautilus submarine into the Maelstrom (although in Verne's sequel Nemo and Nautilus survived).
In Spanish and other [[languages]], Maelstrom is used as a synonym for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool whirlpool]. Hence, the [[word]] "Maelstrom" appears in [[diverse]] [[contexts]] [[metaphorically]] to make reference to different subjects or objects that suggest great [[chaotic]] or sinister [[forces]]. The word maelstrom is used to denote [[powerful]], inescapable destructive forces.
In Spanish and other [[languages]], Maelstrom is used as a synonym for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool whirlpool]. Hence, the [[word]] "Maelstrom" appears in [[diverse]] [[contexts]] [[metaphorically]] to make reference to different subjects or objects that suggest great [[chaotic]] or sinister [[forces]]. The word maelstrom is used to denote [[powerful]], inescapable destructive forces.
==References==
==References==
# The Merriam-Webster new book of word histories. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 1991. p. 300. ISBN 9780877796039. http://books.google.com/books?id=IrcZEZ1bOJsC&pg=PA300&dq=maalstroom+maelstrom&lr=&num=20&as_brr=0&ei=3ishS7iCB6KGkASk-fClCQ&cd=2#v=onepage&q=maalstroom%20maelstrom&f=false.
# The Merriam-Webster new book of word histories. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 1991. p. 300. ISBN 9780877796039. https://books.google.com/books?id=IrcZEZ1bOJsC&pg=PA300&dq=maalstroom+maelstrom&lr=&num=20&as_brr=0&ei=3ishS7iCB6KGkASk-fClCQ&cd=2#v=onepage&q=maalstroom%20maelstrom&f=false.
# Encyclopedia Britannica, 1958 edition.
# Encyclopedia Britannica, 1958 edition.
# B. Gjevik, H. Moe and A Ommundseb, "Strong Topographic Enhancement of Tidal Currents: Tales of the Maelstrom", University of Oslo, working paper, 5 Sep 1997 (a condensed version published as "Sources of the Maelstrom" in Nature, Vol 388 pp 837-838, 28 Aug 1997. http://www.math.uio.no/~bjorng/moskstraumen/bilder/article.pdf
# B. Gjevik, H. Moe and A Ommundseb, "Strong Topographic Enhancement of Tidal Currents: Tales of the Maelstrom", University of Oslo, working paper, 5 Sep 1997 (a condensed version published as "Sources of the Maelstrom" in Nature, Vol 388 pp 837-838, 28 Aug 1997. https://www.math.uio.no/~bjorng/moskstraumen/bilder/article.pdf
# "Equinox: Lethal Seas". http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/680755.
# "Equinox: Lethal Seas". https://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/680755.
[[Category: Earth Science]]
[[Category: Earth Science]]
[[Category: Languages and Literature]]
[[Category: Languages and Literature]]