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rip current science definition
A strong, narrow surface current that flows rapidly away from the shore. Rip currents form when excess water that has accumulated along a shore due to wind and waves rushes back suddenly to deeper waters. Also called rip tide.
rip current
When water that comes ashore is channeled back out to sea through a narrow passage, such as a break in a sandbar, the strength of the flow of water is concentrated and forms a rip current.
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