We have to go back to 2016, when NASA ‘discovered’ 10 black holes over the Indian Ocean, specifically in Antarctica. It didn’t take long for experts to get to work deciphering the cause of these black holes. Apparently, the action of a nearby active volcano played a significant role in the creation of these ‘eyes’. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), von Kármán vortices are generated when an air mass encounters an obstacle and fragments into eddies that spin in alternating directions. In this case, the culprit was Mawson Peak, a 2,700-meter volcano that rises in the center of the island. These discoveries were made thanks to results extracted from preferred satellites.
They were clearly outlined among the clouds and extended from Heard Island, the remote volcanic island in the southern Indian Ocean
According to available data, these structures (black holes), with an average diameter of 13 kilometers, emerged next to an uninhabited Australian territory located more than 1,500 kilometers from Antarctica. They were clearly outlined among the clouds and extended from Heard Island, the remote volcanic island in the southern Indian Ocean. The snapshot, released by the Earth Observatory, revealed perfectly aligned circular holes extending northeastward. Scientists immediately recognized the “dark holes” as Von Karman vortices, which spin like eddies of air when an obstacle disrupts the airflow, as explained above.
This record has become a reference for studying the interaction between terrain and air currents in extreme environments
The fact is that the behavior of these structures led scientists to ask many questions. Why did they behave this way? This episode stems from the fact that the chain of eddies, instead of moving in a straight line, deviated almost 90 degrees midway through its path. This is where the focus of research began. This record has become a reference for studying the interaction between terrain and air currents in extreme environments. Scientists attribute this alteration to the force of the winds known as the Furious Fifties, characterized by gusts that can exceed 80 km/h in the region.
What is interesting for scientists is observing the Antarctic incident, given the magnitude of black hole formation
In any case, it is important to note that this analysis provides valuable data for better understanding their behavior. Although von Karman vortices are fascinating but not rare, what is interesting for scientists is observing the Antarctic incident, given the magnitude of black hole formation and the clarity they acquire in this environment. It’s fascinating to see and understand the magnitude of such a discovery. Without the technology we have today, we wouldn’t know that these types of phenomena occur on planet Earth. Therefore, it makes one think about the number of things that continue to happen, and yet humans haven’t yet developed the technology necessary to understand other phenomena.
Amazed: in places that can be remote for humans and where investigations can be more complex
The data provided by these investigations are key to understanding the behavior of atmospheric flows in regions with severe climates, where meteorological phenomena can take on exceptional configurations. And specifically, in places that can be remote for humans and where investigations can be more complex. Hence the importance of using technology and smart satellites.
It’s also interesting to know that in Antarctica, the ocean surface freezes in winter, and in coastal areas, openings occur in the sea ice. Strong winds blow and push the ice, as explained above, exposing groundwater. These “black holes” we’re referring to are the shadows of vortices in the clouds. It’s ultimately an effect of nature that, as is usual with discoveries, never ceases to surprise both experts and non-experts.
