Final answer:
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows uninterrupted due to Antarctica being surrounded by the Southern Ocean and the lack of landmasses in the way, coupled with the continent's unique polar vortex and ocean circulation patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason the Antarctic Circumpolar Current can flow without interruption around Antarctica is due to the geography of the Southern Hemisphere. Antarctica is completely surrounded by the Southern Ocean, with no landmass to obstruct the flow of water. This allows the West Wind Drift to circulate the cold waters in a clockwise rotation around the continent.
Additionally, phenomena like the formation of permanent ice sheets, driven by lowering CO2 and changes in ocean circulation, have influenced the current patterns around Antarctica. The polar vortex over the continent and the continental landmass itself support a continuous and uninterrupted flow of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
Furthermore, the Subtropical Convergence, where cold Southern Ocean waters meet warmer waters from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, creates a zone of upwelling and mixing supporting high marine productivity.