The Drake Passage is a body of water located between the southern tip of South America and the West Antarctic Peninsula. It’s known for its extremely challenging conditions, reports Live Science.
Dreaded Bit Of Ocean
Alfred Lansing described the Drake Passage, a 600-mile-wide channel, as “the most dreaded bit of ocean on the globe” in his book “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage to the Antarctic.”
The passage’s relatively narrow width compared to the surrounding ocean causes currents to accelerate as they are forced through it. Similarly, strong southern winds, which travel unimpeded around Antarctica, are intensified as they funnel through the passage.
These intensified winds create large, potentially dangerous waves that can pose a risk to vessels crossing the passage, which typically takes about 48 hours. At best, these waves create a rough journey known as the “Drake shake.”
A Vital Point
Karen Heywood, a physical oceanography professor, described the extreme conditions of the Drake Passage, noting the use of sticky mats at dinner to prevent items from sliding due to the rough seas.
She explained that the passage is a convergence zone for currents from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern oceans, leading to intense turbulence and a mixing of water layers. This mixing results in the Drake Passage sequestering significantly more carbon than other ocean regions.
The passage plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle, with oceans absorbing over 30% of human-emitted carbon annually. The Drake Passage is considered a key area for this process.
Additionally, the passage helps maintain Antarctica’s cold climate by blocking warm air from South America.
Scientific research indicates that the opening of the Drake Passage millions of years ago contributed to significant cooling in Antarctica and the formation of large ice sheets.
Alberto Naveira Garabato, another physical oceanography professor, highlighted the noticeable temperature drop experienced when crossing the Drake Passage, describing it as an abrupt transition into an “icy world.”
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Source: Live Science
