Marina thrombus: what is it, why and how it occurs

Marina thrombus: what is it, why and how it occurs

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Nature has a wide range of weather phenomena of many types. Among them we have sea thrombi. Sea thrombus consist of swirls that are generally connected with cumuliform clouds. The base of a marine thrombus can be formed by powdered water. This meteorological phenomenon is often confused with tornadoes that occur in water. However, they have their differences.

In this ecology article, we will tell you What is a marine thrombus and how it occursas well as their differences with water tornadoes.

What is a water thrombus and why it occurs

A marine thrombus is a meteorological phenomenon that is characterized by being a Tornado type that is formed on the surface of the waterusually in warmer bodies of water such as oceans, seas, lakes or rivers. Although they are often associated with thunderstorms or storm clouds, sea thrombi can develop in different ways.

In its most common form, a marine thrombus originates when a column of hot and humid air rises From the surface of the water, interacting with a cold air column that descends from a developing storm. This interaction can generate a rotation in an antihorarium or time sense, creating a kind of fun that extends from the surface of the water to the clouds. At this point, the marine thrombus is classified as a “non -supercellular marine thrombus”, since it is not directly related to a supercellular storm.

There are two main types of marine thrombus: Non -supercellular marine thrombuswhich are the most common and tend to be less destructive, and Supercellular marine thrombus or Superceldaswhich are linked to more intense storms and can be more dangerous. Non -supercellular seas, generally, have weaker winds and last less time, while supercellular can be more powerful and durable.

It is important to highlight that marine thrombus are usually smaller than terrestrial tornadoes, but they can still represent a risk for boats in the water and, rarely, reach the ground, causing damage to the coast.

Marina Tromba: What is it, why and how it occurs - what is a water thrombus and why it occurs

How a water thrombus occurs

  1. The formation of a marine thrombus is due to a Combination of weather and atmospheric factors that interact in the atmosphere On warm water bodies. They tend to develop in warmer waters, such as those found in the oceans and seas during the summer months. Warm water provides the heat source necessary to raise the air and generate atmospheric convection.
  2. Convection is the process by which hot and humid air risesthat is, it goes from the surface up. When the air on hot water rises, it creates a low pressure area on the surface.
  3. This Low pressure zone attracts surrounding airgenerating an ascending air flow.
  4. On many occasions, the hot air that rises from the surface of the water come into contact with a colder air dough that descends from a developing storm or a mass of cold air that passes on the water.
  5. This temperature and pressure difference between hot air and cold air can cause a Rotation in antihoranium or schedule.
  6. As for the formation of the marine thrombus, the initial rotation generated by the interaction between warm air and cold air can be intensified and extended down from the clouds to the surface of the water, creating the funnel characteristic of a marine thrombus. If this rotation reaches sufficient intensity, it becomes an observable marine thrombus.

The intensity of a marine thrombus can vary significantly, from weak and short -term sea thrombi to more powerful and lasting sea thrombi. This depends on factors such as water temperature, speed and wind direction in different layers of the atmosphere, and the presence of supercellular storms.

Marina Tromba: What is it, why and how it occurs - how a water thrombus occurs

Differences between Marina and Tornado

Geographical location

  • Marine thrombus: Sea thrombus are formed on the surface of the water, usually in oceans, seas, lakes or rivers. They can move towards the coast and, rarely, touch land, but their origin is in the water.
  • Tornado: Tornados develop on Earth and are usually formed in continental areas. They can occur in a wide variety of geographical environments, from plains to mountains.

Cause of training

  • Marine thrombus: They are formed due to the interaction of warm and humid air on the surface of the colder water that descends from the upper layers of the atmosphere or that comes from a nearby storm.
  • Tornado: Tornados originate mainly in the context of strong storms, especially supercellular. The rotation in the atmosphere is due to the interaction of different air masses and the presence of a strong ascending current within the storm.

Intensity and duration

  • Marine thrombus: In general, sea thrombi are weaker and shorterly compared to tornadoes. Their winds are usually less intense and usually last less time.
  • Tornado: Tornados can vary widely in intensity, from weak tornadoes to extremely violent tornadoes (EF5). Some tornadoes can last only a few minutes, while others can persist for several hours.

Size and scale

  • Marine thrombus: Sea thrombus tend to be smaller scale and size compared to terrestrial tornadoes. Its funnels are usually narrower and less developed.
  • Tornado: Terrestrial tornadoes can have wider and developed funnels, which makes them more destructive in terms of property damage.

Displacement route

  • Marine thrombus: They usually move along the surface of the water, following the direction of winds and sea currents.
  • Tornado: Tornados can move in any direction, including sudden turns and heading changes, which makes them more unpredictable on their route.

After this reading you already know what a marine thrombus is and how it occurs, as well as its difference with a tornado. Now we recommend you continue learning with this other ecology article about the difference between Hurricane and Typhoon.

If you want to read more articles similar to Marina thrombus: what is it, why and how it occurswe recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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