Ocean currents are large-scale, persistent movements of seawater driven primarily by wind stress, density gradients (thermohaline circulation), Earth’s rotation, and basin geometry. They form interconnected surface and deep circulatory systems that redistribute heat, salt, nutrients, and dissolved gases across ocean basins. Major surface currents, organized into gyres, are largely wind-driven and Coriolis-deflected, while deep currents follow density-controlled pathways linked to water mass formation at high latitudes. Ocean currents modulate regional and global climate, influence marine biogeochemical cycles, and are central to coupled ocean–atmosphere dynamics represented in numerical circulation and climate models.
Climate models suggest that climate change could reduce the Southern Ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). However, observational data actually shows that this ability has seen no significant decline in recent decades.
Earth Sciences
Oct 17, 2025
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The Gulf of Mexico, a regional ocean, is hugged by the southeastern United States and a large stretch of the Mexican coast, making it very important for both countries. The area helps bring goods to local and global markets, ...
Earth Sciences
Oct 8, 2025
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The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is Earth's largest oceanic current, circling around Antarctica from west to east in alignment with Earth's rotation. This cold ocean current is driven primarily by the westerly wind ...
Earth Sciences
Oct 7, 2025
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Bivalves, such as clams, oysters and mussels, record seasonal environmental changes in their shells, making them living chronicles of climate history. A new study of bivalve shells has detected two major episodes of instability ...
One of the biggest navigation challenges is knowing where you are in the open ocean without tools or devices. This remarkable skill is exemplified by the ancient techniques once used by expert navigators of the Marshall Islands, ...
Environment
Oct 1, 2025
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Global shipping, sea currents and habitat factors are driving the spread of Indo-Pacific fish species in the Mediterranean Sea, according to a new study published in the journal NeoBiota.
Plants & Animals
Sep 17, 2025
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Under high-emission scenarios, the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), a key system of ocean currents that also includes the Gulf Stream, could shut down after the year 2100. This is the conclusion of a new ...
Earth Sciences
Aug 28, 2025
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Antarctica has long been seen as a remote, unchanging environment. Not any more.
Environment
Aug 24, 2025
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Anomalies in temperature and salinity that originate in the midlatitude North Atlantic can affect the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in the Nordic Seas up to a decade later. A new study published in Communications ...
Earth Sciences
Aug 11, 2025
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Some of the rainiest places on Earth could see their annual precipitation nearly halved if climate change continues to alter the way ocean water moves around the globe.
Earth Sciences
Jul 30, 2025
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