Final answer:
The Gulf Stream begins to move away from the U.S. coast around the middle to northern regions of North Carolina, heading northeastward towards the broader Atlantic after passing the Outer Banks.
Step-by-step explanation:
A student asked at what state does the Gulf Stream move away from the coast of the US. To answer this question, it is essential to look at the geographical pattern of the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. As it moves north, the Gulf Stream begins to veer away from the eastern coast of the United States, roughly around the middle to northern parts of the North Carolina coast. From there, it continues to move northeastward, away from the coast. This event typically occurs after the current has passed the Outer Banks of North Carolina, heading towards the broader Atlantic. The velocity typical for the Gulf Stream a few hundred kilometers off the east coast of the United States is indicated by a ship’s relative velocity in the water, often used to calculate the stream’s own speed.