The
Antarctic Circumpolar Current (
ACC) is an
ocean current that flows clockwise from west to east around
Antarctica. An alternative name for the ACC is the
West Wind Drift. The ACC is the dominant circulation feature of the
Southern Ocean and has a mean transport of 100-150
Sverdrups (Sv, million m³/s), making it the largest ocean current. The current is circumpolar due to the lack of any landmass connecting with Antarctica and this keeps warm ocean waters away from Antarctica, enabling that continent to maintain its huge
ice sheet.