Scientists from the University of New South Wales in Australia have discovered the formation of a giant sea vortex in the waters of the southeastern part of the Australian continent. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Contact Earth and Environment (CEE).
Unlike small river eddies, ocean vortex currents can be very large, reaching hundreds of kilometers in diameter and several kilometers in depth.
According to the findings of the researchers, the width of the Australian crater reached 400 km and was 3 kilometers deep. The temperature inside the rotating body of water was 3°C above normal. It is fed by the warm East Australian Current, which carries warm water masses from the tropics to more temperate latitudes.
According to scientists, it is still difficult to predict the consequences of the emergence of a mega-vortex near Australia. But experts believe it is unlikely to disappear by next summer. If the vortex begins to move towards the shore, it will cause a sharp jump in water temperatures and could have catastrophic consequences for many marine life.
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