The slides, written out
AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale.
Slide 1 · OCEANS DRIVE THE WORLD
OCEANS DRIVE THE WORLD.
THE SURFACE
CIRCULATION
NORTH ATLANTIC
Understanding the clockwise system
that shapes our oceans and climate.
THE FORCES.
THE CURRENTS.
THE IMPACT.
THE RULES BEHIND OUR OCEAN'S MOVEMENT
Slide 2 · THE SURFACE
THE SURFACE
CIRCULATION
NORTH ATLANTIC
The North Atlantic behaves like a giant, slow-moving wheel,
turning clockwise around the subtropical high-pressure cell.
LABRADOR CURRENT
Cold Current
NORTH ATLANTIC DRIFT
Warm Current
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPE
GULF STREAM
Warm Current
H
SUBTROPICAL HIGH PRESSURE
CANARY CURRENT
Cold Current
AFRICA
CARIBBEAN CURRENT
Warm Current
NORTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT
Warm Current
Warm Current
Cold Current
This system carries warm tropical water towards higher latitudes and returns cool water towards the equator, balancing heat and driving global ocean circulation.
Slide 3 · THE SURFACE CIRCULATION
THE SURFACE CIRCULATION
NORTH ATLANTIC
The clockwise circulation — step by step.
1
NORTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT
The North-East Trade Winds and westerlies drive warm surface water westward across the equatorial Atlantic.
2
GULF STREAM ORIGIN
Water enters the Caribbean, flows through the Yucatan Channel, forms the Loop Current in the Gulf of America, exits via the Straits of Florida and becomes the Gulf Stream.
3
NORTH ATLANTIC CURRENT / DRIFT
The Gulf Stream flows north-east along the US east coast and continues across the Atlantic as the North Atlantic Current and North Atlantic Drift, bringing warmth to Europe.
4
NORTHERN BRANCHES
Part of the flow continues east and north-east towards the European and Nordic seas, while other branches turn south-east to feed the return circulation.
5
RETURN & LABRADOR CURRENT
Cool currents return southward along the eastern side (e.g., Canary Current). The Labrador Current flows southward along the Labrador and Newfoundland shelves and interacts with the Gulf Stream near the Grand Banks, creating a sharp temperature gradient.
KEY POINTS
The North Atlantic gyre circulates clockwise around the subtropical high-pressure cell.
Warm currents (red) carry heat poleward.
Cold currents (blue) carry cool water towards the equator.
Wind, density differences and the Coriolis effect shape and sustain this system.
This giant oceanic wheel redistributes heat, influences climate, supports marine ecosystems and shapes weather across the North Atlantic region.
Slide 4 · OCEANS DRIVE THE WORLD
OCEANS DRIVE THE WORLD.
THE SURFACE
CIRCULATION
NORTH ATLANTIC
Three key forces work together to move and shape the ocean's surface currents.
CAUSES OF FORMATION
1
WIND-DRIVEN (DRIFT CURRENTS)
Persistent North-East Trade Winds and westerlies drive the surface currents.
The speed and direction of a drift current depend on wind stress, Coriolis effect, friction, and the characteristics of the wind-driven layer.
2
GRADIENT CURRENTS (PRESSURE / DENSITY-DRIVEN)
• Sea-surface slopes and density differences create pressure gradients.
• These pressure gradients, together with the Coriolis effect, help establish large-scale ocean currents.
• Density differences arise from variations in temperature and salinity.
3
CORIOLIS EFFECT
Caused by Earth's rotation.
In the Northern Hemisphere, moving water is deflected to the right, helping create the clockwise subtropical gyre of the North Atlantic.
EKMAN SPIRAL
Wind-driven surface water moves at an angle to the wind and each deeper layer is slower and further rotated to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.
WIND
SURFACE LAYER
DECREASING SPEED
EKMAN TRANSPORT
The net transport of water is 90° to the right of the wind stress in the Northern Hemisphere.
WIND STRESS
EKMAN TRANSPORT (90° TO THE RIGHT)
Wind provides the energy, density differences create pressure gradients, and the Coriolis effect determines the direction — together they drive the North Atlantic surface circulation.
Slide 5 · OCEANS DRIVE THE WORLD
OCEANS DRIVE THE WORLD.
THE SURFACE CIRCULATION
NORTH ATLANTIC
Key facts that show why the North Atlantic circulation matters to our climate, weather and oceans.
KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE
The Gulf Stream carries warm tropical water to higher latitudes, keeping northwestern Europe milder.
This circulation is part of the global conveyor belt, linking surface currents with deep ocean circulation.
The Labrador Current brings cold, less saline water southward, influencing weather and marine ecosystems along eastern Canada.
Strong temperature and water-mass gradients around the Grand Banks support highly productive marine ecosystems.
The North Atlantic gyre is anticyclonic (clockwise) around the subtropical high-pressure cell.
It plays a major role in weather patterns, storm tracks and marine ecosystems.
THE COMPLETE PICTURE
LABRADOR CURRENT
Cold Current
NORTH ATLANTIC CURRENT
Warm Current
REMEMBER
Clockwise system (anticyclonic gyre)
Warm water flows poleward
Cold water flows equatorward
Wind, density differences and Coriolis effect work together to sustain this circulation.
GULF STREAM
Warm Current
SUBTROPICAL HIGH PRESSURE
CANARY CURRENT
Cold Current
CARIBBEAN CURRENT
Warm Current
NORTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT
Warm Current
Warm Currents
Cold Currents
The North Atlantic circulation is a perfect balance of energy, forces and geography — a natural system that keeps our oceans, climate and life in motion.
Drafted by SailR from our daily lessons. AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale. Last updated 19 Oct 2026.
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