vortex vs maelstrom

vortex and maelstrom both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
vortex	Yes	No	No	No
maelstrom	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, vortex and maelstrom are synonyms defined as:

vortex and maelstrom: a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)

Other synonyms of vortex include whirlpool.

vortex (noun)	maelstrom (noun)
a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)	a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)
the shape of something rotating rapidly