During icehouse periods the distribution of continents inhibited circum-equatorial circulation forcing faster oceanic circulation in the main ocean gyres. |
Ocean currents flow in huge almost circular gyres thousands of kilometres across. |
Unlike the Beaufort Gyre in the Arctic Ocean, these gyres do not appear to recirculate ice. |
Easily airborne, they float away from conscientious neatnik and litterbug alike, to find their way into mountain streams, ocean gyres and, eventually, the gullets of marine animals. |
Once in the surf, the hatchlings swim outward into the open ocean, and those of most species enter the gigantic oceanic gyres. |
The gyre we planned to survey is one of the largest ocean realms on Earth, and one of five major subtropical gyres on the planet. |