MAJOR CURRENTS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEANS BETWEEN 64 DEGREES N AND 60 DEGREES S.
Abstract
An examination of existing data sources clearly shows that the methods utilized to determine the principal characteristics of ocean currents leave much to be desired. From the many and varied types of information, currents have been identified on the basis of faunal zones, increase or decrease in temperature or salinity, changes in water color, exchange of heat and water vapor with the atmosphere, cloud cover, mixing, dilution by rain, river discharge, heating and evaporation, Coriolis force, distribution of organisms, etc. It is agreed that all these factors, to varying degrees, can help to distinguish the currents, but it also appears that the importance of these factors, when stressed individually, can be greatly exaggerated. The currents shown in Figure 1 and described in this report are those where the movement within specified boundaries exhibits a definite permanent or seasonal flow. The approximate boundaries and the main body of each major current shown are based on ship drift observations and direct measurements by instrument, which describe the two main features of the current, namely direction and speed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0827586
Entities
People
- William E. Boisvert
Organizations
- Naval Oceanographic Office