Eddy

An eddy is a rotating loop of water that has broken away from a larger current, spinning as its own independent feature. NOAA describes them as spanning 10 to 100 kilometers and sometimes lasting for months.

Eddies come warm-core (carrying warmer water and its species away from the source current) or cold-core (pulling colder, deeper water up at the center, similar to upwelling). Both concentrate bait and predators along their edge. Full explanation: what is an ocean eddy, and how do you fish it.

Check today's Gulf Stream structure on the SST map. Back to the glossary.