New Research Unveils Deep Vertical Currents in Southern Ocean with Climate Implications
Recent research published in Communications Earth & Environment has revealed significant insights into the vertical currents of the Southern Ocean. Utilizing high-resolution satellite data and robotic underwater gliders, scientists have discovered that these currents are more intense and reach deeper than previously understood. The study, led by Andrew F. Thompson from the California Institute of Technology, involved a five-week expedition in the Southern Ocean, coinciding with the overhead passage of the SWOT satellite. This satellite measures ocean surface height, allowing researchers to identify features between 10 to 100 kilometers across. The team also deployed autonomous underwater gliders to collect data on water density, temperature, and salinity, which were then integrated into an ocean model to assess the speed of vertical water movement. The findings indicate that these vertical currents, driven by ocean whirlpools known as eddies, extend at least 3,000 feet into the ocean and can move water at ... 
