Note on the Dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

• Published in: Tellus
• Main Authors: Munk, W. H., Palmén, E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Stockholm University Press 1951
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v3i1.8609; https://account.a.tellusjournals.se/index.php/su-j-tadmo/article/download/3986/7119

Unlike all other major ocean currents, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current probably does not have sufficient frictional stress applied at its lateral boundaries to balance the wind stress. The balancing stress is probably applied at the bottom, largely where the major submarine ridges lie in the path of the current. The meridional circulation provides a mechanism for extending the current to a large enough depth to make this possible.