Gulf Stream Update, March 2011
March 10, 2011, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
We have received a number of emails inquiring about the current state of the Gulf Stream conveyor. There had been (and still is) a great deal of concern regarding the health of the Gulf Stream following the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico where more than 5 million barrels of oil and an enormous amount of the chemical dispersant, Corexit, was ejected into the sea.
We put together the image above, which illustrates the ‘normal’ flow of the Gulf Stream and ocean conveyor as indicated by the RED arrows (surface current) and the PURPLE arrows (deep current), on top of an image obtained from the NOAA Ocean Prediction Center NCOM model for this date.
It appears that the Gulf Stream ocean currents are fairly on track up until half-way across the Atlantic Ocean. At that point, it appears that the NOAA image does not reveal much of any surface current flow up to the expected region north of the United Kingdom. Not saying it doesn’t exist, but as you can see for yourself, it’s not apparent like it is off of the east coast U.S.
There does appear to be surface current swirling at the location where the Gulf Stream typically dives down deep on its return trip, just north of the UK, but that’s about it.
Also, the Gulf Stream typically sends a branch to the northwest, just midway across the Atlantic Ocean towards Greenland, which then dives down deep and returns with the deep flow originating north of the UK. There appears to be some swirling currents at the ‘branch’, but that’s all that is visible.
The image above shows the sea surface temperature of the Atlantic Ocean as of this date. The warm water of the Gulf Stream is obvious immediately off the east coast U.S. as it turns eastward on it’s attempted journey northeast across the Atlantic.
Temperatures diminish as it travels further (as would be expected as it flows north), and the boundary between the dark blue (cold) and light blue (not as cold) is clearly visible.
The conclusion from this simple observation is that the Gulf Stream is still flowing. Some may say it has lost some of it’s gusto, or intensity, about halfway across the Atlantic Ocean. On the contrary, it may be a somewhat normal observation for this time of year.
This is not an attempt at an expert conclusion, instead we are simply pointing out publicly available data for your own viewing pleasure.
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In order to stop the Gulf stream, you have to stop the earth spinning.
As for the oil spill this has no effect what so ever.
The oil has been digested by bacteria and it’s all gone.
@RdH, The ocean conveyor is what it is due to temperature and salinity density, not rotation of the earth. Here is an article that explains it.
The oil is not all gone, as you say. Here is a report from a few weeks ago, for example.
As for up to date info about our oceans:
http://wattsupwiththat.com/reference-pages/ocean/
There are also reference pages for sea ice, global temperatures and our sun which are updated real time.
Always appreciate new links…
Ken, I am familiar with the principle of the conveyor belt and how the cool waters with a higher density sink near the Arctic but the major driver of the the gulf stream is the coriolis effect which effects the winds and the gulf stream, which is primary wind driven.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100121172257AAKnAf8
Also read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_effect
As for the oil, what (temporary) remains is a layer of sludge, a mix of oil remnants and bio material which will dissolve eventually. Non of the ‘damage’ is permanent as oil and gas are natural products as well.
I for one am convinced that the origin of oil is abiotic and not fossil.
I am not against the use of oil, coal or other natural resources and I think the anti oil and the peak oil lobby have completely lost it and many people of the public have become hysterical.
I am also convinced that it is criminal to convert food crops into bio fuels at current levels.
We have plenty of oil and we should use it.