North Atlantic Drift Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is North Atlantic Drift?

The North Atlantic Drift is an ocean current that runs through the Atlantic Ocean and connects the Arctic, North American, and European coasts. This ocean current is important to the climate of these regions as it affects air temperatures, wind patterns, and other features of the environment.The North Atlantic Drift begins in Newfoundland and moves south along the coast of Europe. It then turns eastward towards Greenland before eventually looping back around to join up with the Gulf Stream in the Mid-Atlantic. The entire system is part of what is known as thermohaline circulation, where warm water from the south travels northwards along a path known as a gyre or clockwise circulation pattern. This ocean current has significant implications for global climate. It helps to moderate temperatures on both sides of its route by bringing warmer water from southern regions up towards northern ones. It also impacts wind patterns by providing a source of energy for storms that form over its path as well as influencing air pressure systems in both hemispheres. Additionally, since this circulation pattern brings up nutrients from deeper waters it helps support fisheries in these regions which can contribute significantly to local economies. In recent decades there have been changes observed in this ocean current due to human induced global warming which could have far reaching consequences on global climate systems such as increasing sea levels in coastal areas or altering storm systems which could bring more frequent extreme weather events to different parts of the world. As such there has been increased focus placed on monitoring this system so that we can better understand how it may be impacted by our changing environment and make any necessary adjustments or preparations going forward. Overall, The North Atlantic Drift plays an essential role within our planet’s climate system and should be monitored closely so that we can continue to benefit from its positive impacts while mitigating any potential negative effects caused by human activities such as global warming.