"Feelings of fear and happiness mixed into one expression," said one person who witnessed the phenomenon.
Cover image via @aristapandora (TikTok)
A massive waterspout was recently caught on camera, forming dramatically in the middle of the ocean
TikTok user @aristapandora shared the breathtaking sight on social media, capturing the moment while working on a nearby chemical tanker.
"Feelings of fear and happiness mixed into one expression," he wrote in the caption.
The rare event likely took place in Indonesia, though the exact location was not disclosed.
As the vessel approached the waterspout, the video reveals its immense size and intensity as it churned against the water
For those unfamiliar, waterspouts are swirling columns of air and mist that form over water
Essentially, they are tornadoes over the ocean, created by temperature differences that cause an unstable atmosphere or by changes in wind speed and direction at different altitudes.
When winds converge over the water, they can force warm, moist air upwards in a rotating motion, leading to the formation of a waterspout.
Are waterspouts dangerous? It depends.
Fair-weather waterspouts, which typically form during calm conditions, usually dissipate quickly and pose little threat.
However, tornadic waterspouts can be much more intense and dangerous, with strong winds capable of damaging boats or aircraft.
Many viewers compared the phenomenon to an episode of One Piece, where a gigantic waterspout causes chaos
Others described it as looking like a stairway to heaven or a portal to another dimension.
You can watch the full video below:
Waterspouts have previously occurred in Penang and Sarawak, to name a few:
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