The Florida Loop Current

The BBC reported Wednesday what we had murmurs about for weeks: The Dreaded Loop Current has picked up the oil from the Deepwater Horizon and is headed toward South Florida. Experts are predicting that the black sludge could be coating our precious coral reefs within a week, and reach our shores a few days later. So go to the beach while you can folks, because this summer may have limited opportunities.

SUCKS TO BE THEM. AND US.

Of course, when we in South Florida hear about an oil spill in the gulf, we react as we do to any disaster outside the Tri-County area and say “Sucks to be them.” I mean, honestly, yeah it may suck for people in New Orleans and Mississippi and even the Panhandle. But that’s the other side of the peninsula. May as well be the other side of the world.

What’s that? Loop Current? What the Hell is a Loop Current? I’ve never heard of it, so obviously the chances of any oil washing up during brunch at Nikki Beach are minimal.

Oh, how short our memories are.

THE BIGGEST LAZY RIVER IN THE WORLD

For those who are not oceanographers, the loop current is a warm water current that is pushed from the Yucatan Peninsula, up through the Gulf of Mexico and back out through the Strait of Florida in the Florida Keys. Hence the “loop.” How far it reaches into the Gulf varies, as sometimes it will only go as far west the end of Cuba (an area known as the Cuban Vortex). But other times it stretches all the way to Louisiana. And lucky for us, this is one of those times.

If the current were at its more-eastern spot, we’d probably be ok. But, as it tends to do in the spring and summer, the Loop Current is well into the Gulf of Mexico and apparently now picking up oil to bring our way. The oil then will presumably get spit out into the Gulfstream (the current that runs up the Eastern United States) and wash up on beaches from here to North Carolina. At least maybe this will do something about the trash problem in SoFi.

SHORT MEMORIES LET US FORGIVE THE LOOP CURRENT

Miamians should remember the Loop Current though. Because in addition to taking oil spills to our coast, it also has the ability to strengthen hurricanes. The current is made up of very warm water and runs very deep. So when a hurricane blows over it, the warm water allows the hurricane to get even more intense than it would have just blowing over the Gulf (the colder waters there actually weaken it). As few seem to remember, Hurricane Andrew made a brief stop in the Gulf, just long enough to allow the Loop Current to make it extra nasty before it came through and destroyed Southwest Dade.  But apparently our memories here are pretty short, and few I met even discussed the Loop Current when talking about the Deepwater Horizon. But we will soon.

Nobody is exactly sure what the effects of the oil will be on South Florida. Much like hurricanes, these things are impossible to guess with complete accuracy. So the Loop Current may once again be the natural culprit to a South Florida disaster. But we won’t remember. Given the transient nature of our area, and the short memories of those who do stay, the next time we face a threat because of it, I’ll probably have to write this article again.

Related Links: • Will Oil Be Coming To Miami or Anywhere in Florida? • Fort Lauderdale Tire Reef Disaster Related Categories: Miami: Local News, About the Author: Matt Meltzer is a featured columnist at Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Matt Meltzer. See more articles by Matt Meltzer Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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"The Florida Loop Current"

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