1.
The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards
Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic Ocean
current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, exits through the Strait of
Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland
before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. At about 30°W, 40°N, it splits in two. with
the northern stream crossing to northern Europe and the southern stream re-circulating
off West Africa. The Gulf Stream influences the climate of the east coast of
North America from Florida to Newfoundland, and the west coast of Europe. In
fact, the climate of Western Europe and Northern Europe is warmer than it would
otherwise be due to the North Atlantic drift, one of the branches from the tail
of the Gulf Stream. Its presence has led to the development of strong cyclones
of all types, both within the atmosphere and within the ocean. The Gulf Stream
is also a significant potential source of renewable power generation.
2.
The North Atlantic Drift is a warm Atlantic Ocean Current which runs
from the Grand Bank, near New Foundland to western Europe. In fact, the warm
Gulf Stream Current is deflected towards the east under the influence of the
Westerlie winds and the rotation of the Earth and reaches Europe as the North
Atlantic Drift. It is a warm current that keeps the ports of Europe free from
ice even in winter. It flows in three directions — eastwards to UK, northwards
to the Arctic region and southwards, along the Spanish coast, as the cool
Canaries Current.
