33.—A Review of the Branching of the Gulf Stream System

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Section B. Biology
• Main Author: Mann, C. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1972
• Subjects: General Engineering; Helland; Newfoundland; north atlantic current; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0080455x00001909; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0080455X00001909

Synopsis The surveys of temperature and salinity that have led to the concept that the Gulf Stream splits into branches are reviewed, beginning with the survey made by Helland-Hansen on board the Michael Sars in 1910. The system of currents, or branches, between the Newfoundland Banks and the Mid- Atlantic deduced by the different investigations from charts of temperature, or by dynamic computation, are not all compatible. There is good evidence that part of the Gulf Stream turns south-east after passing the Newfoundland Banks and part turns north to become the North Atlantic Current. Both these currents are boundaries between water masses in the upper layer of the ocean. The evidence for permanent currents other than these two is conflicting.