Position: 12-16-06, 62 South, 79 West Drake Passage crossing the Antarctic ConvergenceTemp Air: 4.1CWater: 4.3CPartially cloudy
Antarctic Water's Ups and Downs rule the world
We are crossing the Antarctic convergence.
- The Antarctic Convergence is a water, air temperature and biological dividing line. It is located about 60 degrees south or 1000 miles north of Antarctica.
- The location shifts with wind and currents. Cold ocean water moving north converges with warm ocean water moving flowing south.
- The world's largest ocean current circles Antarctica (Antarctic Circumpolar Current) clockwise, west to east, linking the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean.
- Cold, salty water sinking to the ocean bottom around Antarctica helps control global climate, ocean currents and wind systems.
We are on the watch for the Antarctic convergence scanning the thermometer and water temperatures which should drop at least 2 degrees. The animal observers predict lots of biological activity in this area of the ocean. Birds I have observed today:
- Slender Billed Prion
- Cape Petrel
- Light mantled sooty Albatross
Brent Steward, Pamela Yochem and William Everett our animal observers explained the names and characteristics of the birds to me. You know bird watching is a favorite activity in the Rio Grande Valley and it is also science. Observations are done very systematically 24/7 here on board of the Oden. Here we go… Veronica, the Chilean Animal Observer just spotted a whale. I have to go outside and see for myself. Stay tuned,
Ukaden