Bering Sea 

 Bering Current 



Sparse available data indicate a general north-flowing current 

 through the eastern half of Bering Sea^ through Bering Strait, and 

 in eastern Chulcchi Sea. The current originates mainly from the Worth 

 Pacific Current^ and its speed in the Bering Sea is estimated to be 

 usually 0.5 knot or less but at times as high as 1.0 knot. 



In Bering Strait current speeds frequently reach 2.0 knots j 

 however^ in the eastern half of the strait cvocvents are even stronger 

 and usually range between 1.0 and 2,5 knots. The volume transport of 

 the prevailing northward flow in the strait during August was computed 

 to be about ^.2 X 10 cubic feet per day. Strong southerly winds may 

 increase current speeds in the strait to 3 knots^ and up to k knots in 

 the eastern part; persistent strong northerly winds during autumn may 

 cause the ciirrent to reverse for short periods. During winter a 

 southward flow at times may occur in the western part of the strait. 



After flowing through Bering Strait^ the current widens^ and part 

 continues toward Point Barrow, where it turns northwest. Table 5 

 shows prevailing directions and speeds at the surface and near the 

 bottom observed in August at 22 locations in the eastern part of the 

 shallow Chukchi Sea, where 31 current meter stations were occupied. 

 Along the Alaska coast, current speeds have been observed to range 

 between 0«1 and 1^5 knots and increase to 2.0 or 2.5 knots with 

 southerly winds. In the western part of the Chukchi Sea, currents are 

 considerably weaker and do not usually exceed 0.5 knoto 



Figure k-A is a composite of 15 current stations in August in the 



1^ 



