Archaeologists found this statue in Olmec Ruins.
Archaeologists found this statue in Olmec Ruins.
The Orientals got on..like an escalator....they probably learned when to leave..and when to return..then the knowledge was lost.
Surface Ocean Currents
An ocean current can be defined as a horizontal movement of seawater at the ocean's surface. Ocean currents are driven by the circulation of wind above surface waters. Frictional stress at the interface between the ocean and the wind causes the water to move in the direction of the wind. Large ocean currents are a response of the atmosphere and ocean to the flow of energy from the tropics to polar regions. In some cases, currents are transient features and affect only a small area. Other ocean currents are essentially permanent and extend over large horizontal distances. On a global scale, large ocean currents are constrained by the continental masses found bordering the three oceanic basins. Continental borders cause these currents to develop an almost closed circular pattern called a gyre. Each ocean basin has a large gyre located at approximately 30 degrees North and South latitude in the subtropical regions. The currents in these gyres are driven by the atmospheric flow produced by the subtropical high pressure systems. Smaller gyres occur in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans centered at 50 degrees North. Currents in these systems are propelled by the circulation produced by polar low pressure centers. In the Southern Hemisphere, these gyre systems do not develop because of the lack of constraining land masses. A typical gyre displays four types of joined currents: two east-west aligned currents found respectively at the top and bottom ends of the gyre; and two boundary currents oriented north-south and flowing parallel to the continental margins. Direction of flow within these currents is determined by the direction of the macro-scale wind circulation. Boundary currents play a role in redistributing global heat latitudinally. Surface Currents of the Subtropical Gyres On either side of the equator, in all ocean basins, there are two west flowing currents: the North and South Equatorial (Figure 8q-1). These currents flow between 3 and 6 kilometers per day and usually extend 100 to 200 meters in depth below the ocean surface. The Equatorial Counter Current, which flows towards the east, is a partial return of water carried westward by the North and South Equatorial currents. In El Nino years, this current intensifies in the Pacific Ocean. Flowing from the equator to high latitudes are the western boundary currents. These warm water currents have specific names associated with their location: North Atlantic - Gulf Stream; North Pacific - Kuroshio; South Atlantic - Brazil; South Pacific - East Australia; and Indian Ocean - Agulhas. All of these currents are generally narrow, jet like flows that travel at speeds between 40 and 120 kilometers per day. Western boundary currents are the deepest ocean surface flows, usually extending 1000 meters below the ocean surface. Flowing from high latitudes to the equator are the eastern boundary currents. These cold water currents also have specific names associated with their location: North Atlantic - Canary; North Pacific - California; South Atlantic - Benguela; South Pacific - Peru; and Indian Ocean - West Australia. All of these currents are generally broad, shallow moving flows that travel at speeds between 3 and 7 kilometers per day. In the Northern Hemisphere, the east flowing North Pacific Current and North Atlantic Drift move the waters of western boundary currents to the starting points of the eastern boundary currents. The South Pacific Current, South Indian Current and South Atlantic Current provide the same function in the Southern Hemisphere. These currents are associated with the Antarctic Circumpolar (West Wind Drift). Because of the absence of landmass at this latitude zone, the Antarctic Circumpolar flows in continuous fashion around Antarctica and only provides a partial return of water to the three Southern Hemispheric ocean basins. Surface Currents of the Polar Gyres The polar gyres exist only in the Atlantic and Pacific basins in Northern Hemisphere. They are propelled by the counterclockwise winds associated with the development of permanent low pressure centers at 50 degrees of latitude over the ocean basins. Note that the bottom west flowing current of the polar gyres is the topmost flowing current of the subtropical gyres. Other currents associated with these gyres are shown on Figure 8q-1. Subsurface Currents The world's oceans also have significant currents that flow beneath the surface (Figure 8q-2). Subsurface currents generally travel at a much slower speed when compared to surface flows. The subsurface currents are driven by differences in the density of seawater. The density of seawater deviates in the oceans because of variations in temperature and salinity. Near surface seawater begins its travel deep into the ocean in the North Atlantic. The downwelling of this water is caused by high levels of evaporation which cools and increases the salinity of the seawater located here. This seawater then moves south along the coast of North and South America until it reaches Antarctica. At Antarctica, the cold and dense seawater then travels eastward. During this part of its voyage the flow splits off into two currents that move northward. In the North Pacific (off the coast of Asia) and in the Indian Ocean (off the coast of Africa), these two currents move from the ocean floor to its surface creating upwellings. The flow then becomes near surface moving back to the starting point in the North Atlantic. One complete circuit of this flow of seawater is estimated to take about 1,000 years.
Possibly one of the longest relationships between man and a gemstone would have to be with Jade. Early man utilized it as a tool, a body adornment, and a form of protection. It was easily fashioned into blades, axes, amulets, vessels and since it was relatively tough it held up very well. Eventually man held it in such high regard that it gained a status of supreme cult gem and was utilized to honor and praise various gods.
Two gemstones bear the name jade: nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite, first known as yu, was treasured by the Chinese for centuries. Its current name, and the word "jade," both came from the Europeans via the Spanish conquistadors who invaded South America. Like the Chinese, the South Americans, especially the Aztecs, valued a particular green stone above all else, even gold. Also like the Chinese, they attributed healing powers to that stone. They often used their green gem to relieve urinary ailments. Because of this, the Spanish referred to it as the "stone of the loins" or sometimes, "stone of the kidneys." Nephrite is derived from the Latin word for kidney, and jade is a corruption of the French word for loins.
Recently in Guatemala a huge discovery was made of Blue Jade. scientists exploring the wilds of Guatemala say they have found the mother lode — a mountainous region roughly the size of Rhode Island strewn with huge jade boulders, other rocky treasures and signs of ancient mining. It was discovered after a hurricane tore through the landscape and exposed the veins of jade, some of which turned up in stores, arousing the curiosity of scientists.
The find includes large outcroppings of blue jade, the gemstone of the Olmecs, the mysterious people who created the first complex culture in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, the region that encompasses much of Mexico and Central America. It also includes an ancient mile-high road of stone that runs for miles through the densely forested region.
The deposits rival the world's leading current source of mined jade, in Myanmar, formerly Burma, the experts say. The implications for history, archaeology and anthropology are just starting to emerge.
White, blue-green, lavender, orange and red are the primary jadeite colors. Jadeite colors are usually more vivid than nephrite shades, especially the greens.
Because of this, jadeite is more highly valued than nephrite. Mineralogists and jewelers take care to distinguish between nephrite and jadeite. The general public continues to refer to either as jade. Although they first used nephrite, the Chinese now prefer jadeite because of its color. It's been named Imperial Jade. Other names, such as New Jade, Korean Jade, Stygian Jade, Pagoda stone, Mexican Jade and Indian Jade all refer to imitations. None of these are authentic jade. Poor quality jade may also be dyed