Gulf of Mexico:Loop Current
Two views of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current. (Left) Sea surface temperatures recorded on Jan. 25, 2010, reveal a very intense Loop Current bending around Florida. (Right) A simplified graphical representation of current flow in the Gulf of Mexico.
Published: October 27, 2010, 12:00 am
Updated: March 8, 2011, 1:57 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Cutler J. ClevelandThe Loop Current is an area of warm water that travels up from the Caribbean, past the Yucatan Peninsula, and into the Gulf of Mexico. The current is also known as the Florida current as it flows through the Florida Strait, into the Gulf Stream, and heads north up the eastern coast of the U.S.
From the south, the Gulf of Mexico is fed by a current of warm water from the Caribbean, which enters the Gulf between Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba. This forms the Gulf Loop Current, which curves east and south along Florida's coast and exits through the Straits of Florida.
The Gulf Loop is variable. Sometimes, the current barely enters the Gulf of Mexico before heading towards the Atlantic. At other times, it may travel nearly to the coast of Louisiana before swinging back towards the Florida Strait.
This animation produced by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory shows regional currents for the 30-day period between April 23 and May 19, 2010. Credit: NOAA
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For more information:
Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services
National Current Observation Program
Diving Deeper Podcast
Episode15 (August 12, 2009) - What are currents?
Currents Tutorial and Review
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Citation
National Ocean Service (Content Source);Cutler J. Cleveland (Topic Editor) "Loop Current". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth October 27, 2010; Last revised Date March 8, 2011; Retrieved May 25, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Loop_Current?topic=50362>
The Loop Current is an area of warm water that travels up from the Caribbean, past the Yucatan Peninsula, and into the Gulf of Mexico. The current is also known as the Florida current as it flows through the Florida Strait, into the Gulf Stream, and heads north up the eastern coast of the U.S.
From the south, the Gulf of Mexico is fed by a current of warm water from the Caribbean, which enters the Gulf between Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba. This forms the Gulf Loop Current, which curves east and south along Florida's coast and exits through the Straits of Florida.
The Gulf Loop is variable. Sometimes, the current barely enters the Gulf of Mexico before heading towards the Atlantic. At other times, it may travel nearly to the coast of Louisiana before swinging back towards the Florida Strait.
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This animation produced by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory shows regional currents for the 30-day period between April 23 and May 19, 2010. Credit: NOAA
|
For more information:
Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services
National Current Observation Program
Diving Deeper Podcast
Episode15 (August 12, 2009) - What are currents?
Currents Tutorial and Review
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
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