Weddell Gyre
Quick Summary
The Weddell Gyre is a large, cyclonic ocean circulation feature located in the Southern Ocean, poleward of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. It is considered the best-formed subpolar gyre in the Southern Hemisphere. This gyre is characterized by a clockwise movement of water, flowing southwestward along Coats Land and then northward along the Antarctic Peninsula.123
The Weddell Sea, where the gyre is centered, is heavily iced, which historically hindered exploration. This region is a significant source of cold, deep ocean waters that contribute to global ocean circulation. The gyre plays a role in the movement of sea ice in the Antarctic.34
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