High tides and low tides are caused by the moon. The moon’s gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force. The tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon.

Tides are the short term periodic rise and fall of the world’s oceans. They are due to the combined effects of gravitational attraction and the revolution of the Earth-moon system about its common centre of mass. Elsewhere the two forces are not in balance and give rise to the so-called tide generating force.

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the strongest current system in the world oceans and the only ocean current linking all major oceans: the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.

Saltstraumen is a narrow strait located close to the Arctic Circle, 33 km (20 mi) south-east of the city of Bodø, Norway. It has one of the strongest tidal currents in the world. Whirlpools up to 10 metres (33 ft) in diameter and 5 metres (16 ft) in depth are formed when the current is at its strongest.

Whirlpools are caused when strong tidal currents flow through narrow gaps between dry shores, or over shallows with deep water either side. The strongest tidal current in the world also produces the strongest whirlpool (or maelstrom). Every six hours, the tide reverses and rushes either in or out of the straits.

A whirlpool is a body of swirling water formed when two opposing currents meet. Any whirlpool that contains a downdraft – one capable of sucking objects beneath the water’s surface – is called a vortex. Whirlpools also form at the base of waterfalls and man-made structures such as dams.

Avoid getting caught in this vortex by ducking down beneath the foaming water churning in the backwash. Force yourself down into the smooth water that dips beneath it and keeps traveling downstream. You may need to force yourself down with your arms if you’re wearing a flotation device.

Of the major appliances in a home, gas ranges have the longest life expectancy: 15 years. Dryers and refrigerators last about 13 years. Some of the appliances with the shortest lifespan are: compactors (6 years), dishwashers (9 years) and microwave ovens (9 years).

Whirlpool

5 Worst Refrigerator Brands to Avoid

• 1) Frigidaire (FGHB2866PF – French Door)
• 2) KitchenAid (Counter-Depth French Door)
• 3) Whirlpool (Fingerprint Resistant)
• 4) Beko (Fridge – GN1416220CX)
• 5) Bosch (800 series refrigerator)
• 1) LG (LRMDS3006S) (Best Overall)
• 2) GE (Profile – PFE28KYNFS)
• 3) Bosch (B36CL80ENS)

Whirlpool is the top choice for a reliable French door refrigerator brand, according to the J.D. Power’s report. KitchenAid and Samsung follow in second and third place, respectively. Another notable finding: The Puls report also named Whirlpool as the overall most reliable home-appliance brand.

Best Overall Refrigerator: GE Profile Series French-Door Refrigerator. Best Value Refrigerator: Maytag Wide French Door Refrigerator. Best Smudge-Proof Refrigerator: Kenmore Elite French Door. Best Door-in-Door Refrigerator: LG InstaView Door-in-Door.

The best brands to look out for when shopping for these stylish and versatile refrigerators are Samsung, GE, LG Electronics, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag. However, the brand that steals the show with the most popular and best-selling model is Whirlpool.