The South Atlantic Gyre is the southern branch of the subtropical gyre in the south Atlantic. This gyre is heavily influenced by northwesterly winds that drive a broad eastward drift, which makes it difficult to distinguish between the northern boundary of the subtropical gyre and the southern boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current [1]
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Southern boundary
South of the South Atlantic Gyre is the Antarctic circumpolar current. This current flows from West to East around Antarctica . Another name for this current is the West wind drift. This current allows Antarctica to maintain its huge ice sheet by keeping warm ocean waters away. At approximately 125 Sverdrup , this current is the largest ocean current. [2]
Northern boundary
North of the South Atlantic Gyre is the Brazil Current. This current flows south along the southern Brazilian Coast to the mouth of Rio de la plata. It is a western boundary current as is the Gulf Stream, but it is considerably weaker. [3]
See also
External links
References
- ^ Guhin, Scott, et al. "The South Atlantic Current." Ocean Surface Currents. NOPP; CIMAS; RSMAS; HYCOM consortium, 2003. Web. 21 Oct. 2009. <http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/south-atlantic.html>
- ^ Smith, Ryan, et al. "The Antarctic CP Current." Ocean Surface Currents. NOPP; CIMAS; RSMAS; HYCOM consortium, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2009. <http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/southern/antarctic-cp.html>.
- ^ Bischof, Barbie, et al. "The Brazil Current." Ocean Surface Currents. NOPP; CIMAS; RSMAS; HYCOM consortium, 2004. Web. 21 Oct. 2009. <http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/brazil.html>.
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