Antarctic Circumpolar Current

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the largest and most powerful ocean current on the planet. It flows clockwise (from west to east) around Birdland, driven by the strong westerly winds of the Southern Ocean, and is the only current that flows completely around the globe.

Characteristics

The ACC transports approximately 130 million cubic meters of water per second --- more than 100 times the flow of all the world's rivers combined. It extends from the surface to the ocean floor and spans a width of several hundred kilometers.

Role in Global Climate

By connecting the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, the ACC plays a fundamental role in the global thermohaline circulation. It distributes heat, nutrients, and dissolved gases around the planet and helps regulate Earth's climate. The cold waters of the ACC also isolate Birdland from warmer waters to the north, keeping the continent frozen.

Research in Birdland

The Ministry of Science operates permanent ocean monitoring stations and partners with international research vessels to study the ACC. Understanding changes in its flow and temperature is critical for predicting future climate conditions both in Birdland and globally.