Table of Contents
What is the connection between surface currents and climate?
As the horizontal currents are moving south or northwards, they carry with them cool or warm water over an extended distance. It is the displaced water that affects the air, by warming or cooling it, thereby transferring the same effect to the land surface over which it blows. This is how ocean currents affect climate.
What causes the patterns of surface currents in the ocean?
Patterns of surface currents are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents. These currents move water masses through the deep ocean—taking nutrients, oxygen, and heat with them.
What are the three factors that affect surface ocean currents?
Surface currents are controlled by three factors: global winds, the Coriolis effect, and continental deflections. surface create surface currents in the ocean. Different winds cause currents to flow in different directions. objects from a straight path due to the Earth’s rotation.
What are surface current patterns?
Surface ocean currents form large circular patterns called gyres. Gyres flow clockwise in Northern Hemisphere oceans and counterclockwise in Southern Hemisphere oceans because of the Coriolis Effect. creating surface ocean currents. Near the Earth’s poles, gyres tend to flow in the opposite direction.
Ocean currents act much like a conveyer belt, transporting warm water and precipitation from the equator toward the poles and cold water from the poles back to the tropics. Thus, currents regulate global climate, helping to counteract the uneven distribution of solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface.
How does the ocean contribute to the atmosphere?
The ocean emits some of its heat up into the atmosphere, both in the form of thermal energy and water vapor, creating winds and rain clouds. In turn, surface winds push against the surface of the ocean, creating currents that help control the distribution of warm and cold waters.
How does the circulation of the ocean affect the Earth?
The ocean has an interconnected current, or circulation, system powered by wind, tides, the Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect), the sun (solar energy), and water density differences. The topography and shape of ocean basins and nearby landmasses also influence ocean currents.
How are deep ocean currents different from surface currents?
Deep ocean currents are density-driven and differ from surface currents in scale, speed, and energy. Water density is affected by the temperature, salinity (saltiness), and depth of the water.