Question

State the origin and flow of Gulf current

Answer 1

Dear student,

The Gulf stream is one of the largest warm currents. Its origin is in Gulf of Mexico and move in a North Easterly direction along the east coast of North America. Under the impact of the Westerlies, this warm current reaches the western coast of Europe.

The general direction of flow of the Gulf Stream, north of 30° N latitude, is northward. But, in Newfoundland, its water mixes with the cold water of the Labrador Curren forming dense fog.

From here, the Gulf Stream changes its direction to north eastwards. It becomes a slow-moving current known as the North Atlantic Driff. Near western Europe, it splits into two parts. One part moves northwards, past UK and Norway, while the other part is reaches southwards as the cold Canary Current.

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