Ocean and Atmospheric Currents

Abstract

IN a clever article in the Quarterly Review, on the geographical and scientific results of the Arctic expedition, which I have read with great interest, the following passage occurs:—“The polar streams flow southward as surface-currents as long as they remain under the influence of northerly winds. When they reach the region of south-westerly winds they disappear under the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. And this for the simple reason that in each instance the stream, as Sir George Nares says, will take the line of least resistance. In the case of a stream going before the wind, this will be on the surface; when going against the wind, the line of least resistance will be some distance below it.”