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Chapter 6: Problem 26

Define the western intensification. How is it related to the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio Current?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Western intensification refers to the strengthening of ocean currents on the western side of an ocean basin due to the Earth's rotation. Both the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio Current represent this phenomenon, being powerful, warm, and deep currents found along the western boundaries of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans respectively.

Step by step solution

01

Define Western Intensification

Western Intensification refers to the phenomenon observed in the major oceanic currents where the currents on the western side of an ocean basin are stronger and deeper than those on the eastern side. It's primarily due to the rotation of the Earth, also known as the Coriolis Effect.
02

Understand the Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream is a warm and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, exits through the Strait of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
03

Understand the Kuroshio Current

The Kuroshio Current is a western boundary current in the western north Pacific Ocean, off the east coast of Taiwan and flowing northeastward past Japan, where it merges with the easterly drift of the North Pacific Current. It is analogous to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean.
04

Relation between Western Intensification and the two currents

Both the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio Current are examples of the phenomenon of western intensification. Due to the rotation of the Earth, the western boundary currents like the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio Current are intensified, leading to them being narrower, deeper, warmer, and faster than their eastern counterparts.

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