The Atlantic Ocean - The Gulf Stream
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The Atlantic Ocean
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Introduction
The Atlantic is the second largest ocean on the planet. It is the resting place of the Titanic, home to the mysterious Bermuda Triangle and is the youngest of the Earth's great oceans. It reaches depths of 8,500 metres. Oceans investigates this influential body of water from a group of islands in its western reaches - the Bahamas.
The Gulf Stream
Overview
The Atlantic is one of the most important oceans for regulating our climate because it carries one of the strongest ocean currents - the Gulf Stream. Originating in the Gulf of Mexico and driving right across the North Atlantic, the Gulf Stream transports 100 times more water than all the rivers on Earth.
Thirty million cubic metres of water are squeezed through the narrow channel between Florida and the Bahamas every second. This helps to generate a huge amount of power which enables water to be transported over 4,500km to the far north-eastern corners of the Atlantic.
| Importance: | One of the strongest ocean currents that influences the global climate. |
| Dive category: | This is a very dangerous drift dive due to the extremely strong currents in the area. |
| Access: | It is not advisable to attempt this dive without a rigorous safety measures in place. |
Interesting for
- The ocean current that warms the UK
- Wikipedia looks at the effects caused by the Gulf Stream.
- Gulf Stream
- One of the world's most intensely studied current systems
- The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies explains the Gulf Stream.
- The Gulf Stream
BBC related content
- Oceans presenter biography: Paul Rose
- Oceans image gallery: The Atlantic Ocean
- BBC Weather: The Gulf Stream
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