Maelström

Maelström is a term for a large, powerful whirlpool formed in coastal waters or straits where opposing currents converge. The word originates from the Dutch maelstroom, meaning grinding stream, from maal (to grind) and stroom (stream). It entered English in the 17th century through nautical usage and has been used in various languages with the same meaning.

Formation occurs when fast-flowing water is forced through constrictions, around submerged obstructions, or where opposing tidal currents meet. The resulting rotation can extend from the depths to the surface, creating surface vortices that may range in size from a few meters to tens of meters across. The whirlpool's persistence depends on the tidal cycle and underwater topography; such conditions can present navigational hazards to vessels, especially in narrow channels and shoal-water areas.

Notable examples in real waters include Moskstraumen near Moskenesøya in the Lofoten archipelago, long described by travelers as a dramatic swirl, and Saltstraumen near Bodø, widely cited for exceptionally strong tidal currents. These locations have contributed to the popular image of the maelstrom as a spectacularly violent vortex in coastal seas.

In culture and language, maelström has come to symbolize any overpowering swirl of events or chaos, extending beyond its physical meaning. The term is often used metaphorically in literature, journalism, and media to evoke danger, tumult, or rapid change.