Ocean Current Notes
-Ocean water contains stream-like movements of water called ocean currents.
-Currents are influenced by global wind (Coriolis effect), salinity, continental deflection and convection cells.
-These 4 factors keep currents flowing in distinct patters around the earth.
-clockwise in the northern hemisphere
-counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere
Global Winds
-Winds blow across the Earth's surface creating surface currents that can reach depths of several hundred meters
-Different winds cause currents to flow in different directions:
-Near the equator, winds blow ocean water east to west
-Closer to the poles, ocean water moves west to east
** Merchant ships ofter use these currents to travel more quickly back and forth across the oceans.
Gulf stream keeps Europe's oceans lukewarm in the winters.
-Currents are influenced by global wind (Coriolis effect), salinity, continental deflection and convection cells.
-These 4 factors keep currents flowing in distinct patters around the earth.
-clockwise in the northern hemisphere
-counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere
Global Winds
-Winds blow across the Earth's surface creating surface currents that can reach depths of several hundred meters
-Different winds cause currents to flow in different directions:
-Near the equator, winds blow ocean water east to west
-Closer to the poles, ocean water moves west to east
** Merchant ships ofter use these currents to travel more quickly back and forth across the oceans.
Gulf stream keeps Europe's oceans lukewarm in the winters.
Continental Deflection
-If the Earth's surface were covered only with water, the surface currents would travel freely in a uniform pater. When surface currents meet continents, they deflect, or change direction.
Convection Cells
-Sun's energy causes convective movement of the ocean's water as heat from the sun causes differences in the density of the water
-Salinity-percent of salt in an oceans (small-less dense, lots-more dense).
Deep Ocean Currents
-Powered by temperature, density and salinity
-Cooler saltier water is more dense causing it to sink
-The water is then pushed around the globe until it warms up.
-If the Earth's surface were covered only with water, the surface currents would travel freely in a uniform pater. When surface currents meet continents, they deflect, or change direction.
Convection Cells
-Sun's energy causes convective movement of the ocean's water as heat from the sun causes differences in the density of the water
-Salinity-percent of salt in an oceans (small-less dense, lots-more dense).
Deep Ocean Currents
-Powered by temperature, density and salinity
-Cooler saltier water is more dense causing it to sink
-The water is then pushed around the globe until it warms up.