Scientists believe they have discovered the existence of “black holes” in the ocean, specifically in the South Atlantic region.
A black hole is a region in space-time that pulls everything close to it. The gravitational field of a black hole is so strong that it can prevent anything that has been swallowed by it, including light, from escaping.
According to researchers from ETH Zurich (Switzerland) and the University of Miami (USA), some of the largest oceanic vortices in the South Atlantic are comparable in size to the mysterious black holes in space. This means they also “trap” water in the same way that black holes consume light.
Researchers have discovered that some of the largest vortices in the South Atlantic are comparable in size to mysterious black holes in space. (Image: Daily Mail)
These enormous oceanic vortices are surrounded by powerful currents so dense that nothing that gets sucked inside can escape. Statistics show that such “black holes” are increasingly appearing in the southern Atlantic waters, enhancing the circulation of warm, salty water towards the north.
Scientists believe that these “ocean black holes” could mitigate the negative impacts of melting sea ice due to global warming. However, until recently, they were unable to quantify this effect as the exact boundaries of these massive oceanic vortices remained a mystery.
The research team from Switzerland and the USA now believes they have finally unraveled this complex problem. By utilizing mathematical models, they were able to isolate the vortices from a series of satellite observations.
The research team was astonished to discover the similarities between black holes in space and the ferocious vortices in the Atlantic Ocean.
Simulation of an “ocean black hole” that can consume everything that approaches it. (Image: Daily Mail)
For instance, at a critical distance, a beam of light no longer spirals into the black hole. Instead, the light significantly bends and returns to its original position, forming a circular trajectory. The surface created by these closed light trajectories is referred to as the “photon sphere,” according to Einstein’s theory of relativity.
Researchers have identified similar closed barriers around oceanic vortices. Within these barriers, liquid particles also move around in closed loops, akin to the path of light in a photon sphere.
The research team has also identified seven Agulhas loops of the “black hole” vortex type, which transport large volumes of water (without leaking out) from one location to another for nearly a year. Their research findings are expected to help solve many ocean mysteries, from climate-related questions to the spread of various forms of environmental pollution.
