Why is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current so strong?

Dynamics. The circumpolar current is driven by the strong westerly winds in the latitudes of the Southern Ocean. The increasing eastward momentum imparted by the winds causes water parcels to drift outward from the axis of the Earth’s rotation (in other words, northward) as a result of the Coriolis force.

Why is the Antarctic current so much faster than other currents?

Despite its relatively slow eastward flow of less than 20 cm s-1 in regions between the fronts, the ACC transports more water than any other current (Klinck and Nowlin, 2001). The Antarctic Circumpolar Current’s eastward flow is driven by strong westerly winds.

Is the Antarctic current cold or warm?

It is a very cold current with temperatures ranging from –1 to 5°C depending on the time of the year, and with speeds up to 2 knots (2.3 miles per hour or 3.7 km per hour). This is the same speed as a brisk walk. Antarctica is also the birthplace of deep ocean waters that make up part of the global Ocean Conveyor.

What causes global warming in Antarctica?

Ice, especially sea once, increases the sensitivity of polar regions to warming , by introducing a strong positive feedbacks loop. Melting of continental Antarctic ice could contribute to global sea-level rise. The central and southern parts of the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula have warmed by about 2.4 °C.

What is the biggest ocean current in the world?

Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Notorious among sailors for its strength and the rough seas it creates, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the largest wind-driven current on Earth and the only ocean current to travel all the way around the planet.

What is the most powerful ocean current?

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the planet’s most powerful and arguably most important current. It is the only current to flow clear around the globe without being diverted by any landmass.

What is the biggest threat to Antarctica?

Threats

• Climate change. Climate change is the greatest long-term threat to the region.
• Increased fishing pressure and illegal fishing.
• Marine pollution. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been measured around Antarctica and detected in wildlife.
• Invasive species.

Which is the slowest ocean?

The Arctic Ocean’s surface temperature and salinity vary seasonally as the ice cover melts and freezes; its salinity is the lowest on average of the five major oceans, due to low evaporation, heavy fresh water inflow from rivers and streams, and limited connection and outflow to surrounding oceanic waters with higher …

Which current is the coldest?

The Labrador Current is a cold current in the North Atlantic Ocean which flows from the Arctic Ocean south along the coast of Labrador and passes around Newfoundland, continuing south along the east coast of Canada near Nova Scotia.

What is the strongest current on earth?