The North Atlantic Drift, also known as the North Atlantic Current, represents a significant ocean current system. This powerful flow of water plays a crucial role in the broader global ocean circulation and significantly influences climate patterns across various regions.
Defining the North Atlantic Drift
The North Atlantic Drift is a warm ocean current that serves as a direct extension of the Gulf Stream. It transports warm water from tropical and subtropical regions poleward into the North Atlantic. This current is an integral component of the larger Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which is a vast system of ocean currents that helps regulate Earth’s climate.
Its Transatlantic Journey
The journey of the North Atlantic Drift begins where the Gulf Stream turns northward, specifically near the Southeast Newfoundland Rise, a submarine ridge off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. From this point, the current flows northeastward, extending across the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe.
This current transports a large volume of water, moving more than 40 million cubic meters per second in its southern reaches, a volume that reduces to about 20 million cubic meters per second as it crosses the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. While it can reach speeds of approximately 3.7 kilometers per hour (2 knots) near the North American coast, the current generally becomes broader and more diffuse as it traverses the ocean basin.
As it approaches the European continent, the North Atlantic Drift branches, with some flow continuing northward and other parts turning southward. One major branch continues along the coast of Northwestern Europe, while another turns southeastward, eventually forming the Canary Current.
Shaping Europe’s Climate
The North Atlantic Drift exerts a profound influence on the climate of Western Europe, making it considerably milder than other regions situated at comparable latitudes. This effect stems from the current’s capacity to carry substantial amounts of heat from warmer tropical and subtropical waters.
As the current flows northward, it continuously releases this accumulated heat into the overlying atmosphere. This heat transfer significantly moderates winter temperatures and reduces the severity of cold weather across the region.
For example, without the North Atlantic Drift, winter temperatures in the British Isles could be over 5°C colder, dropping London’s average December temperature to around 2°C, and parts of Europe would experience climates similar to Canada at the same latitudes. This warming effect also contributes to increased precipitation and influences agricultural practices and human settlement patterns throughout Western Europe. The current also helps keep many Norwegian ports free of ice throughout the year.
Broader Impacts and Importance
Beyond its direct effects on climate, the North Atlantic Drift influences marine ecosystems across the North Atlantic. The current supports diverse marine habitats by transporting nutrients and larvae, which promotes the growth and distribution of various marine organisms. This contributes to the presence of rich fishing grounds, as the influx of warm water and nutrients aids the proliferation of plankton, which forms the foundation of the marine food web. The current’s consistent flow and temperature regulation therefore affect biological productivity.