ACC

E97860

The ACC is the powerful ocean current that flows eastward around Antarctica, connecting the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans and playing a key role in global climate and ocean circulation.


Statements (45)
Predicate Object
instanceOf ocean current
physical oceanographic feature
abbreviation ACC
affects global sea surface temperatures
meridional overturning circulation
associatedWith Antarctic Polar Front
Subantarctic Front
connects Atlantic Ocean
Indian Ocean
Pacific Ocean NERFINISHED
contributesTo isolation of Antarctica
maintenance of Antarctic ice sheet
drivenBy westerly winds
encircles Antarctica
flowsDirection eastward
formedBy interaction of winds and ocean density structure
hasAlternateName West Wind Drift
hasApproximateTransport about 100 to 150 Sverdrups
hasKeyRegion Drake Passage
hasTypicalSurfaceSpeed about 0.5 to 1 meter per second in core regions
influences Southern Ocean ecosystems
carbon cycle
heat transport
nutrient distribution
isStrongestCurrentBy volume transport
linkedTo formation of Antarctic Bottom Water
upwelling of deep waters
locatedIn Southern Ocean
monitoredUsing Argo floats
satellite altimetry
ship-based hydrographic sections
partOf Earth climate system
passesNear Africa NERFINISHED
Australia
South America
passesThrough Drake Passage
playsRoleIn global climate system
global ocean circulation
sensitiveTo climate change
separates Antarctic waters
subantarctic waters
studiedBy physical oceanographers
timeScaleOfVariability decadal
interannual
long-term trends

Referenced by (3)

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