Colorful stripes on icebergs, red tides, multicolored drifting ice, and ice whirlpools are some of the strange natural phenomena that occur in the oceans.
12 Strange Phenomena at Sea
1. Multicolored Drifting Ice
Depending on the ocean and the area of drifting ice, their temperature and characteristics can vary significantly. This fascinating phenomenon occurs in cold, freezing waters near Antarctica. The striped icebergs are formed when blue and white icebergs collide, breaking apart and melting into each other, then freezing again to create drifting ice. During the freezing process, impurities and liquid particles mix in, resulting in ice masses with different colored layers.
2. Whirlpool
Whirlpools are dangerous phenomena in the ocean. They are, in fact, large whirlpools with destructive power that quickly suck in anything in the vicinity. Weather conditions are a crucial factor determining the strength and speed of the whirlpool. Many legends suggest that whirlpools can instantly sink everything to the ocean floor, but scientists have debunked this hypothesis.
3. Red Tide
Red tides are caused by the rapid growth of toxic algae. The algae produce toxins and harmful elements for marine animals, fish, birds, and even humans. One of the most well-known occurrences of red tide often appears during the summer along the coast of Florida, USA.
4. Ice Whirlpool
Ice whirlpools form when salty water separates from icebergs at sea, eventually settling and creating a unique type of ice. Extremely low temperatures are necessary for the formation of ice whirlpools, so this phenomenon only occurs in freezing waters around the Arctic and Antarctic. Ice whirlpools can devastate marine life in their vicinity. Starfish, fish, and even seaweed die or freeze upon contact with ice whirlpools.
5. Ice Flowers
Ice flowers are formed on young sea ice in cold marine areas. They only develop under cold conditions with little wind. The ice clusters, usually about 4 cm in diameter, often resemble flowers. Since they are formed from seawater, ice flowers are highly crystallized with salt content.
6. The Longest Wave in the World
The longest wave, known as Pororoca, occurs in the Amazon River in Brazil. This phenomenon happens only once every two years, around mid-February to March. The tide flowing through the shallow waters at the river’s mouth creates waves up to 6 meters high, lasting up to half an hour before crashing ashore and sweeping away everything in its path—from houses and trees to animals.
7. Rogue Waves
Rogue waves, also known as freak waves, appear suddenly without warning. These giant waves can reach heights of up to 40 meters and typically occur in deep sea areas. Rogue waves pose an unpredictable danger to vessels navigating the ocean.
8. Two-Colored Sea Water
When two tidal streams meet at a point in Skagen, Denmark, the sea water displays two different shades. Due to varying densities and specific gravities, the two opposing tidal streams never mix.
9. Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence occurs when light emitted from living organisms interacts with oxygen in the air, leading to chemical reactions. This phenomenon causes the ocean to shimmer as if illuminated.
10. Milky Sea
This phenomenon occurs in the Indian Ocean. Similar to bioluminescence, it is a luminous phenomenon at sea but with milk-colored light, creating an image reminiscent of the Milky Way. The cause of this phenomenon is due to a type of bacteria that turns seawater blue, yet to the naked eye, they still exhibit the shimmering colors of the “Milky Way.”
11. The Road Under the Ocean
At a depth of 2000 miles beneath the sea, explorers have discovered stones lined up in a way that resembles an abandoned road. Geologists and archaeologists have studied this area and believe it is not part of a submerged city.
Instead, it might simply be the natural erosion of limestone, but why it is arranged in a straight line remains unexplained.
12. Mysterious Sounds
In 1999, a 15-second recording of ocean sounds was captured by scientists. However, no one could explain what the sound was. Many speculated it was the call of some giant sea monster.
However, NOAA scientists confirmed it was merely the sound of breaking ice. But is this a convincing explanation, or is there something more terrifying behind it?
