Search results
Undertow (water waves) A sketch of the undertow (below the wave troughs) and the shore-directed wave-induced mass transport (above the troughs) in a vertical cross-section across (a part of) the surf zone.
Learn the differences between these three dangerous ocean currents and how to survive them. Rip currents are strong offshore flows, undertows are backwash flows, and rip tides are tidal flows through inlets.
Learn the differences and dangers of these three ocean currents that can affect surfers and swimmers. Find out how to identify, avoid, and survive them with tips and examples.
Undertow is the return flow of water after breaking waves, which may create a strong current near the shore. Learn how undertow differs from rip currents, how it depends on wave size and frequency, and how it affects swimmers and surfers.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Oct 28, 2023 · Learn what an undertow is, how to escape its grip, and how to prevent it from happening. This blog post also covers the difference between undertows and rip currents, and answers some FAQs about swimming in the ocean.
Undertow is a noun that means a strong current flowing underwater in a different direction to the surface water, especially one that flows away from the land at the same time as a wave hits the beach. Learn more about its usage, synonyms, and translations in different languages.
Myth: Rip currents, rip tides, and undertows are all the same thing. Fact: While neither rip currents or undertow will pull a person underwater, undertow is a term used to describe the current beneath the surface when waves are breaking upon the shore (see glossary of rip current terms).
