11.2: Investigation - The Gulf Stream
- Page ID
- 53328
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The North Atlantic Gyre is the ocean surface water circulation in the North Atlantic Basin (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)). It comprises several surface currents, including the Gulf Stream (Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)). For this investigation activity, answer the following questions.
- Consider the North Atlantic Gyre, what is its rotational direction? What is the primary cause for the rotation of ocean surface water?
- What are the other surface currents comprising the North Atlantic Gyre, in order from the equator in clockwise direction?
- How does the Gulf Stream help provide heat transfer from the equator to high latitudes for the global radiation balance of Earth?
- How does the Gulf Stream help provide warmer temperatures for the local regions of the southeast coast of the U.S. in the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina?
- How does the succession of surface currents in the North Atlantic Gyre help provide warmer temperatures in Europe?
- On the west coast of the U.S., at latitudes equivalent to those on the east coast in the state of California, what surface current passes through the coast? How does this current affect the temperature of the region?