North Atlantic subtropical gyre

E55919

The North Atlantic subtropical gyre is a large, clockwise-rotating system of ocean currents in the North Atlantic Ocean that plays a key role in heat transport, climate regulation, and the distribution of marine life.


Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf ocean gyre
physical oceanographic feature
subtropical gyre
approximateLatitudeRange 10°N–40°N
associatedWith North Atlantic garbage patch
Sargassum seaweed accumulations
floating marine debris accumulation
biologicalCharacteristic generally low surface nutrient concentrations
oligotrophic surface waters
boundedByCurrent Antilles Current
Canary Current
Gulf Stream
North Atlantic Current
North Equatorial Current
centerRegion Sargasso Sea
circulationType wind-driven circulation
containsFeature Sargasso Sea
drivingForces Coriolis effect
pressure gradients
western intensification
wind stress
easternBoundaryCurrent Canary Current
energySource atmospheric circulation over North Atlantic
hemisphere Northern Hemisphere
impactOfClimateChange changes in heat and freshwater transport
projected shifts in position and intensity
influences distribution of marine life
nutrient distribution
linkedTo Azores High
North Atlantic Oscillation
locatedIn North Atlantic Ocean
northernBoundaryCurrent North Atlantic Current
oceanBasin Atlantic Ocean
partOf global ocean circulation
global subtropical gyre system
roleInClimate climate regulation
heat transport
influence on European climate
influence on North American east coast climate
modulation of North Atlantic sea surface temperatures
part of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
rotationDirection clockwise
seaSurfaceHeight elevated in gyre center
seaSurfaceTemperature cooler in eastern boundary region
warm in western boundary region
southernBoundaryCurrent North Equatorial Current
studiedInDiscipline climate science
physical oceanography
variability changes in size and strength over time
westernBoundaryCurrent Gulf Stream

Referenced by (7)

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