ALT 3d schematic in the North Atlantic showing ocean velocities at the surface and across 20°N (red is northward), and an integrated overturning stream function on the right face. Arrows are overlaid to show the gyre/overturning branches.

ALT Schematic of the Atlantic circulation patterns, including complexity in the South Atlantic.

ALT Vertical-latitude sections of salinity in the Atlantic (top) and Pacific (bottom). In the Atlantic, you can see the deep penetration of northern origin waters to 2000-3000m, from which we infer southward flow. In the Pacific, no such connection exists from the surface at northern latitudes to the mid-depth.

ALT Schematic representation of circulation in the Atlantic where the Gulf Stream (along the east coast of the USA, flowing northwards) splits somewhere offshore of the Atlantic, with one 'branch' flowing northwards as part of the AMOC and the other branch flowing southwards as part of the return circulation of the subtropical gyre.

ALT Map showing the position of a north-south track in the Atlantic, and lower panel with salinity section in yz direction. Arrows overlaid show the net direction of circulation (northwards in the top 1000m and southwards from 1000-4000m, and northwards at the bottom).

ALT Map of the Atlantic from Antarctica to the Arctic, showing bathymetry in the ocean basins, and contours of dynamic topography. Overlaid are sketched arrows showing clockwise circulation in the northern subtropical gyre and Weddell gyre, and counter clockwise in the southern subtropical gyre and northern subpolar gyre.

ALT Map of sea surface temperature off the western North Atlantic showing Florida to St. Johns. Strong red colours indicate warm areas and are hottest in the Caribbean and in the Gulf Stream (a warm band just offshore of the east coast of the USA).