On Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 8:02:08 PM UTC+1, Len wrote:
On Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 9:39:16 AM UTC+1, Norman Lynagh wrote:
Nick Gardner wrote:

On 11/04/2018 18:54, Norman Lynagh wrote:
Food for thought

Norman, I have been led to believe that the Gulf Stream/North
Atlantic Drift is wind driven?

I have attended many lectures and a few conferences that have stated
to the above. Which is right?

That's the popular, simple explanation. It's much more complicated than
that.

Norman
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Always more complicated than that.
Wind driven by the Azores high in the first instance, and then conservation of absolute vorticity concentrates things somewhat as regards the ocean current.
There are interactions and feedbacks from smaller scale features but one tries to smooth those out over a longterm. Not very wise or easy if climate prediction (projection) is your goal.

Len
Wembury

Wind driven in the early stages, but in higher latitudes the coriolis effect is very important. As the other Graham says above, it would probably take the Earth to stop spinning for the Gulf stream to shut down, which is a little unlikely.

Anyway, fantastic surf at the moment, an invasion of camper vans. Set to get even better, with some sunshine to make it photogenic.

Graham
Penzance