Sverdrup
In oceanography, a sverdrup is a non-SI metric unit of flow, with equal to ; it is equivalent to the SI derived unit cubic hectometer per second. It is used almost exclusively in oceanography to measure the volumetric rate of transport of ocean currents. It is named after Harald Sverdrup. It is distinct from the SI unit sievert or the non-SI svedberg, which use the same symbol.
In the context of ocean currents, one million cubic meters per second may be most easily imagined as a "slice" of ocean with dimensions × × . At this scale, these units can be more easily compared in terms of width of the current, depth, and current speed. Thus, a hypothetical current wide, 500 m deep, and moving at 2 m/s would be transporting of water.Examples
The water transport in the Gulf Stream gradually increases from in the Florida Current to a maximum of south of Newfoundland at 55° W longitude.
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current, at approximately, is the largest ocean current.
The entire global input of fresh water from rivers to the ocean is approximately.
