MAJOR CTJRREmS ALONG TEE COASTS OF NORWAY AND THE USSR TO THE KURHS 

 Introduction 



The usual graphic representation of currents is, at best, a static 

 picture. The water masses, of course, are in constant motion, the 

 movement being exceedingly variable in some regions and relatively 

 constant in others. The currents described in this report are those 

 where the movement within specified boundaries as shown in Figure 1 

 exhibits a recognizable permanent or seasonal flow» The regions beyond 

 the boundaries of the currents are those where flows, frequently 

 considered part of the prevailing current, are less defined, described 

 from insufficient data, mainly tidal, under the influence of winds or 

 river discharge, or variable and turning. The boundaries are actually 

 regions of gradual change between zones of more persistent flow and 

 zones of less stable or weaker flow. 



The approximate boundaries and the main body of each current shown 

 are based on all available information including ship drift observa- 

 tions, direct measurements by instruments, and published and unpublished 

 reports . 



