Antarctic Circumpolar Current

• Scientists have discovered an ancient 20 million year old underwater mountain range hidden within the world’s strongest ocean current, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
• The range consists of eight dormant volcanoes reaching heights of 1,500 meters above the seafloor.
  • They were discovered halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica, and four of the volcanoes are new discoveries.
• This revelation came to light during a high-resolution mapping expedition conducted by an Australian and international research team.

ABOUT ANTARCTIC CIRCUMPOLAR CURRENT

• The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the most important current in the Southern Ocean.
• It is the only current that flows completely around the globe.
• The ACC, as it encircles the Antarctic continent, flows eastward through the southern portions of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
• The ACC extends from the sea surface to depths of 2000-4000 m and can be as wide as 2000 km.
• The Antarctic Circumpolar Current’s eastward flow is driven by strong westerly winds.
• The average wind speed between 40°S and 60°S is 15 to 24 knots with strongest winds typically between 45°S and 55°S.
• Historically, the ACC has been referred to as the ‘West Wind Drift’.