Definition of Ocean Gyre

Large ocean currents move in a circular manner through ocean basins and said movement It is known as the ocean gyre. There are two reasons that cause the turns: the effect of the wind and the action of the force centrifuge associated with the rotational motion of the Earth.

The Humboldt current or Peruvian current is an example of an oceanic gyre

In the western coasts of South America the deep waters that are at low temperatures rise to the surface. This type of movement was first described by the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt at the beginning of the 19th century in his work "Journey to the equinoctial regions of the New Continent".

The Peruvian current transfers cold water and this causes a significant decrease in the temperature of water in other coastal regions (this change in temperature is striking because it does not correspond to the latitude geographic). Another of its effects consists of limiting the evaporation of water.

Marine currents connect all the oceans of the planet

The system of currents has a relevant role for the sustainability of the planet, since in their movement they incorporate nutrients and oxygen throughout the oceans. At the same time, they transport heat and this circumstance affects climate changes (this has been observed from temperature-sensitive cameras at the bottom of the ocean).

Although the warmest waters are found at the equator, the network of currents distributes the heat throughout the planet. In summary, we could say that ocean gyres function as a large-scale central heating system.

Oceanography is the scientific discipline that studies ocean gyres

Marine currents, waves, tides or the transmission of temperature are aspects that are part of physical oceanography. These physical processes have a direct impact on the weather and on living beings.

Chemical oceanography studies the composition of marine molecules and this branch is relevant because it allows a better understanding of the effects of contamination marine in the whole of the planet.

Biological specialization focuses on the study of organisms living and their relationship with the aquatic environment. In this sense, it is worth remembering two relevant facts: that more than 90% of all living organisms inhabit the oceans and that 70% of the Earth's surface is made up of water.

Finally, at the geological level, the processes related to this branch that affect the oceans are studied, such as the creation of the relief or the formation of the sea floor. With regard to the knowledge of the geology of the oceans, it is striking that humans have more cartographic information on the Moon or on Mars.

Fotolia photo: tanor27