THE MAELSTROM OF SALTSTRAUMEN – EARTH’S STRONGEST MAELSTROM (WHIRLPOOL)

A whirlpool (or maelstrom) is a body of rotating water produced by opposing currents or a current running into an obstacle. The Maelstrom of Saltstraumen is earth’s strongest maelstrom. It is located close to the Arctic Circle, 20 miles round the bay on Highway 17, southeast of the city Bodø, Norway. The strait at its narrowest is 490 feet in width and water “funnels” through the channel four times a day. It is estimated that 110 billion gallons of water passes the narrow strait during this event. The water reaches speeds of 25 miles per hour with mean speed of about 8.1 miles per hour. The Maelstrom of Saltstraumen’s impressive strength is caused by the world’s strongest tide occurring in the same location during the new and full moon.