This shapefile was created from the routes-0 file as prepared by INSROP
project I.5.8. The points included are the same as in the routes_c (see the I.5.8
folder in Ice and Snow category) shapefile set, which includes points defining the
ship routes as defined in INSROP Working paper no. 108 (1998), prepared by
Work Package 1 (Box B) as part of INSROP Phase 2. The shapefile include data on
permanent current velocities and directions for every point.
3.2 Currents
Summary currents in arctic seas are composed of permanent, wind-induced, and
tidal currents. Permanent currents in the arctic seas are related to the general
circulation of the Arctic Ocean and the general thermohaline structure of the
region under consideration. In the Kara, East Siberian and Chukchi seas,
permanent currents are formed as a result of fresh water inflow from rivers, and
water exchange with adjacent areas. Permanent currents in the arctic seas have a
relatively stable pattern. The rate of the constant currents is 0.1-0.3 knots
in most of the NSR area. In some areas (mainly in straits and adjoining mouths
of large rivers) the rate of the constant current increases to 0.4-1.2 knots.
Path: <NSR_DATA>\oceanriv\i_5_8
GeoDataset type: Shapefile with Point features.
Coordinate system: Latitude/longitude in decimal degrees
Label field: Point
* Permanent currents
335 Points, 4 descriptive fields.
Fields: [<Name>] -- <Alias> (type of field)
[No] -- "No" (Numeric, no decimals)
Point number
[Point] -- "Point" (String, max. 5 characters)
Point identifier
[Direction_] -- "Direction (°)" (Numeric, no decimals)
Current direction
[Speed__kno] -- "Speed (knots)" (Numeric, 1 decimal)
Current speed
Permanent currents