We end up with a group of large predator vortices preying on smaller ones, which in turn prey on smaller ones still, forming a food chain of vortices. |
We went into this with an open mind, but we found that the popular idea of mergers was not correct. We found that such mergers are very rare. |
You have a large vortex spinning around, with a smaller one inside. The large vortex has a shearing effect on the smaller one, like cake batter being stirred. The large-scale vortex acts like a giant mixer, stretching and thinning out the smaller one, transferring its energy into the larger vortex. The large-scale vortex actually acts like a vampire, sucking the energy out of the smaller one. |