Ocean Currents and Circulation

Large flows of ocean water that carry heat around the planet, including the Gulf Stream and the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. A topic belongs here when its cited article describes an ocean current or circulation system. It excludes waves and sea ice. These currents shape the climate of coastal regions and move heat, salt and nutrients across whole ocean basins, and they have been mapped for centuries by sailors, later by drifting buoys and satellites that measure their speed and temperature.