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The Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream. North Atlantic Gyre: The Gulf Steam. Gyres are large-scale circulation patterns that develop in the surface waters in each hemisphere; they include many of the major ocean currents (such as the Gulf Stream). 

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The Gulf Stream

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  1. The Gulf Stream

  2. North Atlantic Gyre: The Gulf Steam • Gyres are large-scale circulation patterns that develop in the surface waters in each hemisphere; they include many of the major ocean currents (such as the Gulf Stream).  • In the northern hemisphere, gyres circulate clockwise; in the southern hemisphere, they circulate counter-clockwise.  • Gyres develop and remain in motion as a result of • Prevailing wind patterns • Coriolis effect • Gravity • Most gyre circulation occurs in the top few hundred meters of the water column, although some circulation is maintained to a depth of a thousand meters or so.

  3. The Gulf Streamcarries salt and water into the high latitude North Atlantic where the water cools. • The cooling and the added salt cause the waters to sink in the Norwegian Sea.

  4. So, how does it all work again? • Tropical Atlantic is very salty • Gulf Stream moves this water north • Water cools along the way • By the time it reaches the area between Iceland and Europe, it has cooled enough to become very dense • Surface water sinks to the bottom, feeding deep current – thermohaline circulation

  5. Other “Causes” of the Gulf Stream • The Gulf Stream is mainly caused by wind as it creates friction when moving over the water. • This friction then forces the water to move in the same direction. • The presence of land along the Gulf Stream’s edges also aids in its movement.

  6. Cool Facts • The Gulf Stream system is powerful enough to be readily seen from space • The width of the current is about 100-200 km.

  7. Affecting Temperature • Currents affect the global climate and weather patterns because they distribute heat. • Keeps sea surface temperatures warm, causing the areas around it to be warm and more hospitable; which is why Florida is warm all year round. • Helps keep places like Ireland and England much warmer than they would otherwise be at such a high latitude. • The Gulf Stream and its warm winds are also responsible for keeping northern Norway’s coast free of ice and snow.

  8. Halifax, Canada Bordeaux, France Latitude: 44.53N Latitude: 44.50N   Longitude: 063.31W Longitude: 000.42W

  9. Other Results • Winds and water temperatures in the South Atlantic (off the coast of Africa) cause Hurricanes in North America • Changes in the direction of Ocean currents in the Pacific cause weather events like El Nino.

  10. El Nino - (El Nee-nyo) is the warming of water in the Pacific Ocean. • La Nina - (Lah Nee-Nyah) is the cooling of water in the Pacific Ocean.

  11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR5TFWNLtOc

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