Weddell Gyre

The Weddell Gyre is one of the two gyres found in the Southern Ocean. It forms where the Antarctic Circumpolar Current meets the Antarctic Continental Shelf. This large, spinning pattern of water is located in the Weddell Sea and moves in a clockwise direction.

South of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and stretching northeast from the Antarctic Peninsula, the gyre behaves like a huge cyclone. At around 30°E longitude, where the current turns southward, the northern edge of the gyre spreads over the Southern Scotia Sea and moves toward the South Sandwich Arc.

The gyre's main flow in its southern part moves westward at about 66 sverdrup, while the northern part flows eastward at around 61 sverdrup. This movement plays an important role in the ocean's overall circulation and helps shape the environment around Antarctica.

Physical oceanography

Because of the Coriolis force in the Southern Hemisphere, the Weddell Gyre brings up cold, nutrient-rich water from deep below. This makes the area very good for sea creatures to grow. The gyre is shaped by strong currents that flow around its edges. These currents are very fast and carry a lot of water.

The gyre is part of a larger system of currents and deep waters. It connects with other parts of the Southern Ocean, mixing different types of water together. The patterns of these currents change a little with the seasons, but they mostly stay the same over days and weeks.