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The Gulf Stream current begins in the Gulf of Mexico and flows along the southeast coast of the United States to North Carolina where it then flows eastwards towards Europe. It is characterized by warm water, which travels north at about 2 metres per second. The Gulf Stream may be one reason why the European climate is relatively mild.
The Gulf Stream was “officially” discovered by Ponce de Lion in 1513. Benjamin Franklin was the first to study the current in a systematic way. Early sea captains knew the Gulf Stream could help them sail faster from the United States towards Europe. The Gulf Stream has been studied extensively by oceanographers to better understand how it is formed and its affects on climate and shipping. |
