  Utilizing the tools of tendex and vortex, we study the highly dynamic plunge
and merger phases of several $\pi$-symmetric binary black hole coalescences. In
particular, we observe a decline of the strength of the current quadrupole
moment as compared to that of the mass quadrupole moment during the merger
phase, contrary to a naive estimate according to the dependence of these
moments on the separation between the black holes. We further show that this
decline of the current quadrupole moment is achieved through the remnants of
the two individual spins becoming nearly aligned or anti-aligned with the total
angular momentum. We also speculate on the implication of our observations for
achieving a consistency between the electric and magnetic parity quasinormal
modes.
