Weddell Gyre

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

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

The gyre's southern part flows westward at about 66 sverdrup, while the northern part flows eastward at around 61 sverdrup. This movement helps the ocean's circulation and shapes 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 helps sea creatures grow. The gyre is shaped by strong currents that flow around its edges. These currents are 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.