Final answer:
A waterspout, which is the correct answer to the question, is a tornado that occurs over water and is commonly seen in tropical regions. It is influenced by the Coriolis force, contributing to the counterclockwise rotation of tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question pertains to vortices observed off coastlines in tropical regions. The correct answer from the given options is (d) waterspout. Waterspouts are commonly observed in tropical regions and are influenced by various meteorological conditions such as the Coriolis force, which causes the rotation of low-pressure systems like tropical cyclones. A waterspout is essentially a tornado that occurs over water, connecting the sea surface with cumuliform clouds above.
These tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, are characterized by intense low-pressure centers, strong winds, and heavy rains. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force causes these systems to rotate counterclockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they rotate clockwise.