The Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream

bringing the equator's warmth to Europe

     Martin continued, "The Gulf Stream follows the Atlantic seaboard north, hugging fairly close to shore, until it reaches the latitude of Virginia.  Then, as you can see, the Gulf Stream flows northeast across the North Atlantic toward Europe."

     He walked across the ship's conference room to the wall of windows, then stood with the sea behind him.  He pointed his red beam at the map on the screen: "As you can see, the Gulf Stream divides into three branches as it approaches Europe.  Part of that great river branches southeast, toward France and Spain.  Part of it branches north, toward Iceland and Greenland.  The middle fork of the Gulf Stream continues northeast, straight on, over the top of the British Isles, bathing them in its warmth.  It then flows north along the rocky coastline of Norway, and over the top of Norway, into the Barents Sea . . . Russian waters."

     He turned off the red pointer.  After a long pause, he continued, "Thus, the Gulf Stream brings a river of warmth to the coast of Norway.  If it were not for the Gulf Stream, the water you see outside the windows would be a sheet of ice.  Remember, we are above the polar circle, in the month of April.  If it were not for this river of warmth from the equatorial sun, life in northern Europe would be very different."

               John Slade

               Climate Change and the Oceans

               http://www.woodgateintl.com/