LIGHTNING STORMS AND ITS EFFECTS

Seawater is composed of dissolved salts, fats, algae, proteins, detergents, and other artificial and organic matter. Upon shaking a glass of seawater, one can observe tiny amounts of volcanic debris. The formation of black sand beaches in Hawaii is attributed to hot lava and powerful eruptions, which are inherently unsafe. Submarine volcanoes and deeper waters are equally hazardous, despite not being immediately apparent. In 2011, a diving team discovered a peculiar object at the bottom of the northern part of the Baltic Sea while on a treasure hunt. Many believed it to be a sunken spaceship of another civilization, while others thought it was formed by natural causes. However, the metals inside the structure could not have been formed naturally. Some scientists now speculate that it may have appeared during the Ice Age, possibly a meteorite trapped under ice.

A maelstrom is a whirlpool, a powerful rotational current that forms when two currents collide and create a circular vortex. Even the fearless Vikings feared maelstroms, as they were capable of sinking large ships. These whirlpools remain dangerous even today, although modern ships are large enough to withstand their power. However, a cruise ship caught in a maelstrom may face massive waves that can rock even the largest vessels intensely. A maelstrom can be so strong that it can turn into an underwater black hole. Black holes are not only present in the cold expanse of space, but they can also be found swirling in the oceans. They are similar to those in space, as they are compacted so tightly that nothing they trap can escape underwater. Black holes often span up to 93 miles in diameter, and their boundaries are hardly visible even to professionals.

The Green Flash is an optical phenomenon that can be observed shortly after sunset or right before sunrise. It occurs when the sun is almost completely below the horizon, and its upper rim is still visible for a second or two, appearing green. This phenomenon is caused by looking at the sun through thicker parts of the atmosphere as it moves down in the sky. As it dips below the horizon, light refracts or bends in the atmosphere and gets dispersed. A clear day with no clouds or haze on the horizon is ideal for observing this phenomenon.

Red tides are a common occurrence in Florida, where the concentration of specific microscopic algae is higher than normal. Thousands of species of algae in marine and fresh waters are mostly harmless to animals and humans, and they even help us by being an important source of oxygen. However, some algae, like the ones that make the ocean red, can be extremely dangerous for marine animals like sea turtles, fish, and sea birds. This type of algae can grow out of control and produce neurotoxins harmful to humans, especially those with respiratory issues. Such people should avoid red tide areas, especially when winds are strong enough to push the algae toward the shore.

Volcanoes can spew poisonous gas, ash, and red-hot lava, which are the most obvious dangers. However, submarine volcanoes can be very tricky in their own way. Sometimes, when they are located in shallow waters, they reveal their presence by blasting debris of rock and steam high above the surface. Since submarine volcanoes are surrounded by an unlimited supply of water, they can behave differently from those on land. When they erupt, seawater gets into active submarine vents, and lava can spread across a shallow sea floor or sometimes even flow into the sea from land. Volcanoes in water may cool down so quickly that they shatter into rubble and sand, producing pockets of bubbles. These bubbles reduce the density of the surrounding waters, which can even sink ships. The worst thing is that when looking at the surface of the ocean, one cannot understand if something is wrong, but tiny bubbles are present, causing ships to lose buoyancy.

A cross sea is a rare phenomenon that is beautiful to observe but also very dangerous. It occurs when two wave patterns travel at oblique angles, forming a checkerboard-like pattern. This phenomenon is more common in shallow parts of the ocean, and it can often be seen in France or on certain beaches of Tel Aviv, but it can also happen in many coastal areas across the world. These square waves can be dangerous for swimmers and boaters, as the waves produced by strong ocean currents can be unpredictable and tall, sometimes up to almost 10 feet. This phenomenon is sometimes called White Walls, and these waves can be so powerful that they can turn over even big boats.

Seafoam forms when waves and winds agitate the ocean. When thick sea foam is observed, algal blooms might have caused it. Most kinds of sea foam are not dangerous to humans, but when blooms of algae fall apart, it can have a negative impact on both the environment and people. For example, when sea foam bubbles pop, the toxins they contain get released into the air.