For centuries, turbulent waters have been both a curse for sailors and a source of legends. The world’s oceans contain numerous areas, including seas, that researchers have classified among the most dangerous. Here are the factors they consider when determining what makes a sea perilous. First and foremost, it’s crucial to know its location: is it close to land or far from it? Another characteristic is the presence of hazardous natural features, such as underwater ridges, narrow straits, or numerous icebergs. Finally, meteorological conditions play a significant role. How powerful and predictable are the local currents? How often do storms occur? What are the wave heights and water temperatures? The danger level of a sea can also be assessed by analyzing the number of shipwrecks and disasters over the centuries, as well as studying contemporary piracy incidents. Here are three examples of the most dangerous seas and ocean areas that combine the highest number of threatening factors.
Drake Passage
This is one of the most notorious deadly waters and the widest strait on Earth, measuring over 800 kilometers across. Named after the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, the passage is infamous for its storms and treacherous currents. It serves as the shortest water route connecting Antarctica with Cape Horn in South America, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The waters here are extremely unpredictable, as there are no large land masses at this latitude. Consequently, currents, particularly the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), can flow unimpeded, transporting massive volumes of water. The ACC is responsible for moving between 100 to 150 million cubic meters of water per second and pushes icebergs through the strait, posing a threat to ships. Additionally, the Drake Passage is notoriously known for its extremely strong winds, which create waves ranging from 9 to 12 meters high. All these factors, combined with a depth of five kilometers, make this body of water a deadly barrier, especially for those traveling to Antarctica.
South China Sea
This sea stretches across a part of the Pacific Ocean that is prone to devastating tropical storms and typhoons, particularly during monsoon seasons. As a result, the South China Sea harbors dangers for ships that venture into its waters. Vessels must also contend with a vast and treacherous area of shallows, sunken reefs, and atolls, many of which remain unexplored. Overall, the waters of this sea are uncomfortable for navigation, not least due to strong currents. The reputation of the South China Sea has been further tarnished by geopolitical tensions in the region, with several countries claiming rights to this maritime space. These disputes have often led to military confrontations. The South China Sea also has a long history of piracy, with ships frequently falling victim to attacks or hijackings, as reported by IFLScience.
Bermuda Triangle
Surely, there isn’t a person on Earth who hasn’t heard the chilling tales associated with the Bermuda Triangle. However, it’s rare to hear about new incidents of shipwrecks and disappearances in this area today. The Bermuda Triangle is a region of the Atlantic Ocean covering 1.3 million square kilometers, stretching between the Bermuda Islands, Puerto Rico, and the southern tip of Florida. Over the past century, this patch of water has gained notoriety due to a high number of allegedly mysterious tragic incidents involving ships, including their disappearances. These strange occurrences have led to countless explanations, ranging from plausible to downright absurd. However, statistics indicate that the number of accidents in this vaguely defined triangle is no greater than in other parts of the world’s oceans. In fact, in 2013, the Bermuda Triangle didn’t even make it into a study that focused primarily on maritime accidents and examined the most dangerous waters for navigation. Perhaps the reputation of this demonized location is slowly fading into the past?