Unstable vortex

From SGCommand

The unstable vortex, also known as the funnel (RPG) and nicknamed "kawoosh" by Samantha Carter, is the burst of unstable energy eminating from an activating Stargate.

[edit] Description

The vortex is capable of disintegrating virtually anything it touches, including living tissue. The Tok'ra funeral custom has the dead dissolved by an activating Stargate. If a Stargate is buried, a vortex will not form, preventing a link from being established. (Stargate (movie)) (SG1: "Children of the Gods", "The Light", "Allegiance", "Origin", "Crusade")

The Supergate also creates a vortex, but at a much greater intensity because of the much larger amounts of energy transferred into the supergate. Thus far, it is one of the few things known to overwhelm the shields on an Ori battlecruiser.

The Asgard auto-dialer is capable of dialing a Stargate while preventing a vortex from forming. Ascended beings also possess this ability with their mind. The Nox also possess a similar technology to the Asgard. (SG1: "The Nox", "Small Victories", "1969")

[edit] Behind the scenes

In Stargate Infinity, the vortex does not dissolve whatever it touches.

In the original movie, when the vortex returned to the gate, it inverted into a whirlpool-like form, which Roland Emmerich nicknamed the "strudel". This effect was not transferred into the series.