Ocean currents: Debut of the global mix-master

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The Antarctic Circumpolar Current began its eastern flow through the Southern Ocean 30 million years ago after the Tasmanian gateway, migrating northward tectonically, aligned with the mid-latitude westerly wind band

 

Summary: The Atlantic Circumpolar Current encircles Antarctica with a constant eastward flow in the Southern Ocean. Researchers determined that it originated 30 million years ago, several million years after the tectonic opening of a deep-water channel in the Tasmanian gateway. The Tasmanian gateway was initially the conduit for westward current flow, but as the gateway migrated north tectonically, it eventually aligned with the mid-latitude westerly winds and effected the onset of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150825132758.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Cryonews+%28CryoNews%29