Around and Around, Up and Down: Motion in the Southern Ocean

Abstract

The Southern Ocean, which surrounds Antarctica, is unlike any other ocean on Earth. It is home to the world’s most powerful currents, biggest waves, craziest ice, and wildest animals. Despite its remoteness, the Southern Ocean plays a major role in Earth’s climate. The Southern Ocean connects and stirs together the other major oceans. The fast-flowing currents of the Southern Ocean block heat from being carried toward Antarctica, keeping the continent covered in ice—which is important to prevent dangerous sea-level rise. The Southern Ocean also connects the surface waters with the deep parts of the global ocean, by bringing deep water up to the surface and sending surface water down into the deep. This circulation is crucial for regulating how much heat and carbon the ocean can hold. The more carbon and heat held by the ocean, the slower Earth’s climate will change for those of us on land.