Scientists from the United States and China have recorded the acceleration of the ocean current off the coast of Antarctica encircles the shores of Antarctica and passes through all time zones. The reason for the change in the flow rate is climate change. This is reported in an article published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
The prevailing westerly winds are known to intensify as it warms. Models show that increased wind does not greatly alter ocean currents, but feeds eddies, which are circular movements of water. To understand how water temperature affects currents, the researchers analyzed satellite data on sea surface elevation, as well as readings from ocean buoys that track the parameters of changes in global circulation.
It turned out that changes in ocean temperature causes a significant acceleration of ocean currents. including circumpolar. The current is likely to accelerate further as the Southern Ocean continues to absorb heat from human activities.
ACC separates cold water in the south from warm subtropical water in the north. The northern part of the Southern Ocean absorbs a lot of heat. When the gradient or difference in heat between warm and cold water increases, the flow between these two masses accelerates.