separate branches . This is due to the peculiarities of the contours of the bottom . The spaces 

 between the separate branches are occupied by eddies of a (predominantly) cyclonic character. 



In the central area of the Norwegian Sea, there is no cyclonic eddy but several anti-cyclonic 

 eddies In which the Atlantic waters descend towards the sea bed. This is confirmed by charts show- 

 ing distribution of water temperature at different levels, and especially by that showing temper- 

 atures at a depth of 750 m. (Figure 4). In the area of Jan Mayen, the Atlantic waters travel not 

 from the south-east, as can be seen from Nansen and Helland-Hansen's chart, but from the south 

 in the form of an independent branch . 



Figure 4 . Distribution of temperature at a depth of 750 m . (June 1954) . 



Apart from the main differences already described tiiere are a number of lesser differences 

 which can be seen from a close examination of the authors' chart. We shall give only a brief de- 

 scription of this ciiart here . 



The Norwegian (Atlantic) current, which Is a continuation of the North Atlantic current and 

 the Gulf Stream, enters the Norwegian Sea mainly through the Faroe-Shetland channel. In the 

 eastern part of this passage the Atlantic waters travel in a northerly direction, whereas in the 

 western part they run in a southerly direction. The space between these two currents is filled by 

 eddies of an unstable character. The Atlantic waters also enter the Norwegian Sea between Iceland 

 and the Faroes, but on a much smaller scale. Some of these waters help to form the return cur- 



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