Between Scylla and Charybdis: science and myth in the strait of Messina

The Strait of Messina, a vital maritime corridor separating the Italian peninsula from Sicily, has always been an extreme test for sailors due to its exceptional and complex hydrodynamics. The indomitable force of these waters is echoed in Greek mythology with the figures of Scylla and Charybdis, two monsters that personified the physical dangers of the Strait.
The episode narrated in the Odyssey reflects the ancient perception of marine dangers. This connection was formalized in the 17th century by Athanasius Kircher's geographical-mythological engraving.
However, the turbulence once explained by mythology now finds a precise interpretation in oceanographic models. The extraordinary dynamics of the Strait of Messina are mainly caused by the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun, which trigger tidal motion. This phenomenon occurs in six-hour cycles, alternating four main flows with periods of “calm.” The currents are divided into rising (south → north) and falling (north → south), reaching maximum intensity during the new moon and full moon. The complex hydrodynamics are further fueled by the meeting of Tyrrhenian and Ionian waters of different densities and temperatures, which gives rise to the famous “garofali” (surface vortices). Density (thermal-saline) and drift (wind) currents also play a role. The combination of all these flows makes the Strait an extremely turbulent environment, with speeds that can reach 20 km/h.

___Katia Aragona, Maria Teresa Caccamo, Salvatore Magazù