The Gulf Stream is a current in the North Atlantic which flows north along North America's east coast on the route from Cape Hatteras to Newfoundland. The Gulf Stream is an integral part of the wind-powered, ocean circulation in the North Atlantic and is composed of contributions from the Florida current and the Antilles current, which is a continuation of the North equatorial and to some extent the south equatorial current.
The Gulf Stream is a well-defined current, approx. 120 km wide and 200-300 m deep. The water temperature is 28 ° C at the surface and 18 ° C at 300 m. depth. The salinity is in the range from 36.4 to 36.6 ‰. The Gulf Stream transports large amounts of water to the north, up to 150 million. m3/s at a flow rate, which often reaches 2-3 meters/sec. This high speed and the close physical boundary is why the Gulf Stream is also referred to as 'a river in the ocean'.
Bends in The Gulf Stream frequently results in ligations, so as to form independent annular flows on both sides. On the north side of the Gulf Stream the ligations resulting in the formation of "hot rings" (the water in the center is warmer than its surroundings), which rotates clockwise; the ligations on the south side resulting in "cold rings" (the water in the center is colder than its surroundings), which rotates counter clock. These rings are 150-300 km in diameter and about 3000 m deep, and they have a lifespan of up to two years.
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