Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Conversation
The Conversation
Environment
Emma Shie Nuss, PhD Student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington

Rip currents are dangerous for swimmers but also ecologically important – here's how scientists are working to understand these 'rivers of the sea'

United States National Science Foundation Ocean NOAA
The gap between breaking waves in North Carolina indicates a rip current flowing away from shore. National Weather Service

If you’ve ever waded into the ocean for a swim and suddenly realized that the shore is getting farther away, not closer, you may have encountered a rip current. Common at beaches worldwide, these powerful currents flow from the shore toward the sea at speeds up to several feet per second.

It’s important to know what rip currents are and how to look for them, because they are a leading cause of drownings in the surf zone near shore. According to one recent estimate, rip currents have accounted for 435 drownings in the U.S. since 2017.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Kanye West And Bianca Censori Hit With Fierce Backlash Over Her Latest Fishnet Look: “Humiliating His Wife”
Bianca Censori’s latest revealing appearance with Kanye West has revived years of speculation about their relationship, despite her insisting that her provocative outfits are entirely her choice.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Man says his fiancée doesn’t think what he did was technically cheating, but she still ended their 4-year relationship
Two calls reportedly ended it all.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
That Dryer Sheet in Your Mailbox Isn’t Trash — Here’s Why It May Be There
A dryer sheet tucked inside a mailbox can look like a piece of laundry that took a wrong turn. Yet someone may have placed it there deliberately, hoping to discourage insects, spiders, or other unwanted visitors. The idea circulates widely among homeowners, but the explanation deserves a closer look.
Clever Dude
Clever Dude
Wisconsin’s House on the Rock is unlike a typical museum. Here are the strange sights waiting inside
House on the Rock in Wisconsin features an unusual collection of giant installations and mechanical displays. Visitors can explore a notable indoor carousel that showcases intricate craftsmanship and detail without the option to ride. The attraction also includes an Infinity Room that stretches dramatically over the valley, enhancing the viewing…
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Christian Man Has Bizarre Meltdown After Neighbor’s Halloween Decoration Scares Toddler
“Christian conservatives, we gotta get one thing clear. You can do what you want, but you gotta stop demanding everyone else to change,” a netizen said.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
He Ate, Slept and Hid Inside Disneyland — Here’s How He Got Caught
Disneyland has spent decades selling the fantasy of escaping ordinary life for a day. One man took the idea of staying longer much too far. Stories about people hiding inside the park after closing have fueled a particular kind of Disney legend: empty streets, forbidden corners, and the possibility of…
Clever Dude
Clever Dude
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play