Speedy Ocean Currents 

Ocean surface currents, mainly driven by prevailing winds, help transport heat and ocean nutrients around the world. This visualization shows surface ocean currents colored by velocities from January 1, 2008 to July 27, 2012. Blue shades indicate slow surface currents, while green and yellow shades indicate faster moving currents. Orange and red shades (the fastest currents) indicate velocities up to 1 meter (~3 feet) per second. Notice how fast-flowing currents such as those that flow on the west side of ocean basins‒e.g., the Gulf Stream along the Eastern United States and Kuroshio Current near Japan—eventually disperse into slower, swirling eddies. 

This dataset—called the Ocean Surface Current Analysis Real-Time (OSCAR)—was derived from observed satellite altimetry and wind vector data. OSCAR data are produced by Earth & Space Research and distributed through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA. 


For more information: 
svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/goto?3958 

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