tidal cirrrents occur in the strait, the combination of constant set 

 with -westerly winds during the east-setting flood current may result 

 in a speed of several knots at times. There is also an eastward flow 

 tlirough Proliv Shokal'skogo at a mean speed of 0.^ knot. 



Tidal influences in this shallow sea also contrilsute to variations 

 in speed and direction of currents. In open offshore regions of the 

 Kara Sea their speeds may range between 0.1 and 0.5 knot; during summer 

 in regions free of ice close to the coast, aroimd islands, and in 

 straits current speeds may be high and in some places reach or exceed 

 3.5 knots. During winter the amount of ice cover will also affect 

 currents; for example, in Proliv Vil'kitskogo between Severnaya Zemlya 

 and the mainland the maximum speed of about I.5 knots was observed to 

 depths of 50 and 75 meters. 



Prevailing northeasterly winds during siaamer tend to force the 

 Ob'-Yenisey outflow toward Wovaya Zemlya; during this period the 

 Rovaya Zemlya Current is stronger and the Yamal Current weaker o 

 Southwesterly and southerly winds during autumn, when the rate of river 

 outflow begins to diminish, cause the Yamal Current to widen and shift 

 northeastward, with the result that a lesser amount of water reaches 

 the northeast coast of Novaya Zemlya; during this period the Novaya 

 Zemlya Current is weakened, the eastward flow through Proliv Karskiye 

 Vorota is at a maximum, and the Yamal Current is strengthened. 



10 



