Ocean Current and Climate Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a current?

A type of fish

A type of coral

A large stream of moving water that flows through oceans (correct)

An ocean wave

What powers surface currents?

Tides

River run-off

Evaporation

Wind (correct)

What 3 things create surface currents?

Global wind patterns, rotation of the Earth, shape of ocean basins.

What are other factors that can influence surface currents?

Tides, rain, evaporation, river run-off. Signup and view all the answers

Can surface currents remain unchanged in large storms?

True Signup and view all the answers

What most affects ocean temperature in the surface zone?

Weather. Signup and view all the answers

What are gyres?

A loop created by surface ocean currents. Signup and view all the answers

In what shaped pattern do most large surface currents move?

Circular. Signup and view all the answers

How many main ocean basins are there?

<ol start="5"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a surface current meets land?

The current changes direction. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of winds that drive surface currents?

Trade Winds and Westerlies Signup and view all the answers

What determines whether a surface current is warm or cold?

Where it originates/begins. Signup and view all the answers

Where do cold surface currents originate?

Near the Poles. Signup and view all the answers

Where do warm surface currents originate?

Near the Equator. Signup and view all the answers

Which direction do the Westerlies blow?

East to West. Signup and view all the answers

Which direction do Trade Winds blow?

West to East. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Coriolis Effect?

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents. Signup and view all the answers

Which way do surface currents curve in the Northern Hemisphere because of the Coriolis Effect?

Right. Signup and view all the answers

Which way do surface currents curve in the Southern Hemisphere because of the Coriolis Effect?

Left. Signup and view all the answers

What are deep currents?

Cold waters at the bottom of the ocean that move slowly. Signup and view all the answers

What is salinity?

The total amount of dissolved salts in water, usually measured in ppt. Signup and view all the answers

What is density?

Number of things in a given amount of space. Signup and view all the answers

What does temperature measure?

The movement of energy in matter. Signup and view all the answers

What causes the difference in density of the water in a deep current?

Cooling of water and increased salinity as it moves from the equator to the poles. Signup and view all the answers

What two things determine the density of water?

Temperature and salinity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a density current?

A mass of dense seawater that sinks beneath less dense seawater. Signup and view all the answers

What is upwelling?

The upward movement of cold water from the ocean depths. Signup and view all the answers

What is climate?

The pattern of temperature and precipitation typical of an area over a long period of time. Signup and view all the answers

How do surface currents affect climate on land?

By circulating warm and cold water around the Earth, affecting air temperatures above. Signup and view all the answers

What is El Nino?

An abnormal climate event characterized by unusual patterns of winds. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ocean Currents and Climate Study Notes

Current: A large stream of water flowing through oceans, transporting water over extensive distances.
Surface Current: Powered by wind, these currents affect water to several hundred meters deep and can extend thousands of kilometers.
Factors Creating Surface Currents:
- Global wind patterns
- Earth's rotation
- Ocean basin shapes, causing direction changes upon colliding with land
Additional Influencing Factors: Tides, rainfall, evaporation, and river run-off also impact surface currents.
Stability in Storms: Surface currents remain largely unchanged during large storms due to their underlying creation factors being unaffected.
Ocean Temperature Influencer: Weather plays a significant role in determining ocean temperature in the surface zone.
Gyres: Large loops formed by the movements of surface ocean currents.
Movement Pattern: Most significant surface currents move in a circular pattern.
Ocean Basins: There are five main ocean basins on Earth.
Interaction with Land: When surface currents meet land, their direction is altered.
Driving Winds: Two main types of winds responsible for driving surface currents are Westerlies and Trade Winds.
Temperature Origin of Currents: The temperature of a surface current is defined by its origin—where it begins.
Cold Surface Currents: Originate near the poles, contributing to cooler water temperatures.
Warm Surface Currents: Begin near the equator, leading to warmer water temperatures.
Westerlies Direction: Blow from east to west between 40-50 degrees latitude.
Trade Winds Direction: Blow from west to east around 20 degrees latitude.
Coriolis Effect: Earth's rotation causes winds and currents to curve, impacting their movement paths.
Surface Current Curvature:
- In the Northern Hemisphere, currents curve to the right.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, currents curve to the left.
Deep Currents: Move cold water slowly across the ocean floor and are induced by density differences rather than surface winds.
Salinity: Measure of dissolved salts in water, expressed in parts per thousand (ppt).
Density: Defined as mass per volume (D = M/V), it determines the buoyancy and movement of water.
Temperature: Relates to the movement of energy within matter, influencing water density.
Density Variation in Deep Currents: Results from warm surface currents cooling as they travel to the poles, increasing salinity as ice forms, which makes the water denser.
Water Density Determinants: Two key factors are temperature and salinity.
Density Current: A type of deep current characterized by its slower movement, formed from dense seawater sinking beneath less dense water due to temperature and salinity differences.
Upwelling: A process where cold water rises to replace warm surface water, bringing nutrients and organisms from the ocean depths to the surface.
Climate Definition: Refers to long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation in an area; ocean currents influence climate by redistributing warm and cold water globally.
Impact of Surface Currents on Climate: They affect terrestrial climate by circulating warm or cold water, influencing the air temperature above.
El Niño: An abnormal climatic occurrence characterized by unusual wind patterns over the western Pacific Ocean, affecting climate patterns globally.

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This quiz provides flashcards on ocean currents and their impact on climate. Topics include definitions of currents, surface currents, and the factors that create them. Ideal for students looking to deepen their understanding of oceanography.