Book 6, Question 119
Why Is the Gulf Stream Famous?
The Gulf Stream is a strong, warm ocean current. It leaves the Gulf of Mexico, runs up the east coast of the United States, and then heads across the Atlantic toward Europe. It's like a warm highway that moves heat!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 6
More fun facts
- The Gulf Stream is one of the strongest ocean currents on Earth.
- It starts with warm water from the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
- It carries warm water up the east coast of the United States and Canada and on toward western Europe.
- Its warm water makes the weather in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe much milder.
- In the North Atlantic, the Gulf Stream's warm water pushes colder water to sink and travel south.
- Satellites can spot the Gulf Stream from space by its warm temperature and the color of its water.
Sources: NASA Science, NASA, NOAA
Questions kids ask
Why is Europe warmer than you might expect?
Warm water carried by the Gulf Stream makes its weather milder.