qCurrents are
in geostropic balance
qEach gyre
includes 4 current components:
q two boundary currents: western and
eastern
q two transverse currents: easteward and
westward
qWestern boundary current (jet
stream of ocean)
q the fast, deep, and narrow current
moves warm water polarward
(transport ~50 Sv or greater)
qEastern boundary current
q the slow, shallow, and broad current
moves cold water equatorward (transport ~ 10-15 Sv)
qTrade wind-driven
current
q the moderately shallow and broad
westward current (transport ~ 30 Sv)
qWesterly-driven current
q the wider and slower (than the trade
wind-driven current) eastward current