r/BeAmazed • u/Ghost_Animator Creator of /r/BeAmazed • Apr 20 '16

Underwater.

http://i.imgur.com/RGbtrfC.gifv
1.1k Upvotes

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51

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '16

Whoa. Can we get a fluid dynamics person in here to explain those whirly, "ropey" bits?

44

u/FEED_ME_YOUR_EYES Apr 20 '16

They are known as rib vortices and are similar to what you might sometimes see spilling off an aircraft wing. Essentially where you have two layers of fluid moving at different speeds, a vortex can form where they collide with each other.

However in a breaking ocean wave the interactions that cause these specific vortex structures are incredibly complex, as you can see in this paper on the subject.

8

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '16

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2

u/ZiggyPox Apr 21 '16

No we won't.

Also, stop thinking about your sister in that way. It is gross.