Roaring Forties
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The Roaring Forties are strong westerly winds that occur in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40° and 50° south. The strong eastward air currents are caused by the combinatio
Roaring Forties as they contract towards southern Australia (observed in September 1895).
The Roaring Forties in the Cook Strait of New Zealand produce high waves, and erode the shore as shown in this image
A drawing of a square rigged ship with shortened sail passing through the Roaring Forties
Tasmania
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Tasmania is an island state of Australia. It is located 240 kilometres to the south of the Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The state encompasses the main island of Ta
Roaring Forties
…of the earth to move the air currents from west to east, creating westerly winds. The large tracts of open ocean south of 40°S are interrupted only by Tasmania, New Zealand, and the southern part of South America. These relatively small obstructions, which are themselves bordered by large tracts of open water…
Tasmania from space
Tessellated pavement, a rare rock formation on the Tasman Peninsula
1807 engraving by French explorer Charles Alexandre Lesueur shows seafaring Aboriginal people and a large canoe on the eastern shore of Schouten Island.
Tasmania is named after Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, the first European to sight the island, in 1642.