Navy Global Ocean Forecast System (IMAGE) Naval Research Laboratory Caption This Image from the Navy Global Ocean Forecast System (GOFS) portrays sea surface temperature (SST) on Jan. 15, 2014. The warm tropical waters can be seen to flow through the Gulf of Mexico and northward along the eastern US seaboard where the Gulf Stream separates at Cape Hatteras, off the coast of North Carolina, and flows to the east. This warm water "conveyer-belt" alters the ice cover across the north Atlantic. Without the ocean transport of heat, global climate and weather would be dramatically changed. Credit (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory-Oceanography Division) Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.