|
|
|
Ocean
Currents: Mass
movement or flow of ocean water River within the ocean Two
types: Surface and Deep Surface
Current: Horizontal, stream-like movements of water that occur at or near the
surface of the ocean. Can reach depths of several hundred meters Surface
Currents are Controlled by three factors: 1.
Global winds cause surface currents to flow in the direction the wind is
blowing. 2.
Coriolis Effect: The apparent curving of moving objects due to the Earth’s
rotation Northern Hemisphere = clockwise Southern Hemisphere = counter clockwise 3.
Continental Deflections: Shape of continents change the direction of current
flow Deep
Currents: Stream like movement of ocean water far below the surface Caused
by: changes in density: temperature and salinity Decreasing
the temperature of water increases density Increasing
the salinity of water increases density Surface
currents and climate Warm water currents On
the east coasts of continents Bring warm water to colder regions Cold
water currents On the west coasts of continents Bring
cold water to warmer regions Upwelling:
The movement of deep, cold, nutrient rich water to the surface Nutrients
promote growth of fish and plants. Areas are important fishing grounds. Causes
of warm and cold currents El
Niño: Change in the water temperature in the La
Niña: Change in the eastern Question
1: What is a surface current and what causes them? Answer:
Surface currents move water horizontally – parallel to the Earth’s surface They
are powered by wind Question
2: What is the Coriolis Effect? Answer:
The Coriolis effect is the shifting of winds and surface currents caused by
Earth’s rotation. Question
3: What is upwelling? Answer:
Upwelling is a vertical circulation in the ocean that brings deep, cold water to
the ocean surface. |
|
|