Gulf stream

The Gulf Stream ispowerful warm, swift Atlantic ocean current that flows alongcoast ofEastern United Statesmakes Ireland, Great Britain, andScandinavian countries warmer thanwould be otherwise. It originates inGulfMexicoruns pasteast coast ofUnited States towards Newfoundland. Its extension toward EuropecalledNorth Atlantic drift. The Gulf streamone ofstrongest ocean currents known.

The term "Gulf stream"sometimes used aboutsumwhatdescribed above andNorth Atlantic drift.

Astravels north, some ofwarm water transported byGulf stream evaporates. This increasessalinity ofwater instream,inNorth Atlantic Oceanwaterso coldheavysalt thatbeginssink. It then becomespart ofNorth Atlantic Deep Water,southgoing stream.

The effect ofGulf streamsufficientcause certain parts ofwestBritainIrelandbe an averageseveral degrees warmer than most other partsthose countries. Indeed,Cornwall,particularlyScilly Isles, its effectssuch that plants associatedmuch warmer climes, such as palm treesablesurviverigoursnorthern winters. Logan Botanic GardenScotland benefits strongly fromGulf Stream, allowing their specimensGunnera Manicatagrowover 3 metres tall.

Withrecent phenomenonglobal warming, some scientists have expressed concern aboutsink mechanism outlined above. Specifically, fresh water resulting frommelting ofArctic polar cap could diluteGulf streammakelight enough notsink. The result would behuge climate changenorthern Europe,unknown consequences. Some fossil remnants hint atpossibility thatsimilar event has already happened several times inpast, but fossil evidencequestioned. After an initial rejection,scientific communityevaluating this theory more seriously, as data about historic climate show sudden changes between coldwarm periods.