Drift current circulation patterns
Have similar surface current patterns in all major ocean basins
At low latitudes, surface currents consist of large, essentially closed systems known as gyres
- Current gyres are elongate east-west, & are dominated by east-west directed currents
- Gyres are centered on the subtropics (30°N or S latitude)
West-directed flow occurs in north & south equatorial currents
East-directed flow return flow occurs > 45°N or S
North & south directed flow occurs in eastern & western boundary currents