North Atlantic circulation system
Ekman transport causes water below N & S equatorial currents to flow away from equator
- Diverging flow contributes to upwelling at equator & creates dynamic topography
- N & S equatorial currents flow parallel to lines of constant sea surface elevation (have geostrophic flow)
Gulf Stream is archetypal western boundary current
- Narrow (75 km wide), swift (1 to 3 m/s), & deep (> 2 km)
- Separates coastal waters from Sargasso Sea
- It meanders, forming warm core & cold core rings
Upwelling along east side draws high salinity water from Mediterranean Sea into circulation system
- Contributes to vertical circulation when it freezes at high latitudes