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The Strait Of Gibraltar, Mediterranean Outflow

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Straits of Gibraltar, Mediterranean Outflow

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Straits of Gibraltar, Mediterranean Outflow The Strait of Gibraltar is located between the northern coast of Morocco and the southern coast of Spain. It is the only place that allows the water of the Mediterranean to mix with the water from the Atlantic Ocean. The Strait of Gibraltar is narrow strait separating peninsular Spain and Gibraltar in Morocco and Europe from Morocco as well as the Ceuta/ Spain in Africa. Also, the trait connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. The Strait of Gibraltar is known by many names including the ‘pillar of Hercules’ in the ancient world, STROG meaning Strait of Gibraltar in naval use. The name originates from the rock of …show more content…

They include the upper layer of the Atlantic water flowing eastward above the heavier and saltier Mediterranean water that flows eastwards into the Atlantic Ocean. Also, it is referred to as the Mediterranean outflow water (Wesson & Gregg, 2009). As the Mediterranean water flows to the sea it follows the rising sea floor creating series of internal waves which are not easy seen because they do not generate large waves, but rather horizontal surface currents that affect the roughness of the sea surface. Internal waves can be seen from space suing special radar method capable of detecting sensitive changes in the roughness of the water surface. The direct link created by the Strait of Gibraltar between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean is responsible for the generation of unique wave patterns and unique flow. The unique patterns created as a result of the interaction between the global evaporative and different regional forces, wind forces, and tidal forces (Robinson & Paola, 2005).
Inflow and outflow: the water flowing through the Strait are more or less continuous in both the westward and the eastward directions. The larger amount of water comprising of the surface water of lower density and salinity flows continually eastwards (the Mediterranean inflow) while the smaller water amounts of deeper, saltier and heavier water flows continually westwards (the Mediterranean outflow). The general flow tendencies of the water

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