Questions and Answers
What is a current?
What powers surface currents?
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?
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Can surface currents remain unchanged in large storms?
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What most affects ocean temperature in the surface zone?
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What are gyres?
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In what shaped pattern do most large surface currents move?
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How many main ocean basins are there?
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What happens when a surface current meets land?
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What are the two types of winds that drive surface currents?
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What determines whether a surface current is warm or cold?
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Where do cold surface currents originate?
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Where do warm surface currents originate?
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Which direction do the Westerlies blow?
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Which direction do Trade Winds blow?
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What is the Coriolis Effect?
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Which way do surface currents curve in the Northern Hemisphere because of the Coriolis Effect?
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Which way do surface currents curve in the Southern Hemisphere because of the Coriolis Effect?
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What are deep currents?
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What is salinity?
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What is density?
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What does temperature measure?
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What causes the difference in density of the water in a deep current?
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What two things determine the density of water?
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What is a density current?
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What is upwelling?
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What is climate?
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How do surface currents affect climate on land?
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What is El Nino?
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Study Notes
Ocean Currents and Climate Study Notes
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Current: A large stream of water flowing through oceans, transporting water over extensive distances.
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Surface Current: Powered by wind, these currents affect water to several hundred meters deep and can extend thousands of kilometers.
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Factors Creating Surface Currents:
- Global wind patterns
- Earth's rotation
- Ocean basin shapes, causing direction changes upon colliding with land
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Additional Influencing Factors: Tides, rainfall, evaporation, and river run-off also impact surface currents.
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Stability in Storms: Surface currents remain largely unchanged during large storms due to their underlying creation factors being unaffected.
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Ocean Temperature Influencer: Weather plays a significant role in determining ocean temperature in the surface zone.
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Gyres: Large loops formed by the movements of surface ocean currents.
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Movement Pattern: Most significant surface currents move in a circular pattern.
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Ocean Basins: There are five main ocean basins on Earth.
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Interaction with Land: When surface currents meet land, their direction is altered.
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Driving Winds: Two main types of winds responsible for driving surface currents are Westerlies and Trade Winds.
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Temperature Origin of Currents: The temperature of a surface current is defined by its origin—where it begins.
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Cold Surface Currents: Originate near the poles, contributing to cooler water temperatures.
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Warm Surface Currents: Begin near the equator, leading to warmer water temperatures.
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Westerlies Direction: Blow from east to west between 40-50 degrees latitude.
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Trade Winds Direction: Blow from west to east around 20 degrees latitude.
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Coriolis Effect: Earth's rotation causes winds and currents to curve, impacting their movement paths.
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Surface Current Curvature:
- In the Northern Hemisphere, currents curve to the right.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, currents curve to the left.
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Deep Currents: Move cold water slowly across the ocean floor and are induced by density differences rather than surface winds.
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Salinity: Measure of dissolved salts in water, expressed in parts per thousand (ppt).
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Density: Defined as mass per volume (D = M/V), it determines the buoyancy and movement of water.
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Temperature: Relates to the movement of energy within matter, influencing water density.
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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.
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Water Density Determinants: Two key factors are temperature and salinity.
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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.
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Upwelling: A process where cold water rises to replace warm surface water, bringing nutrients and organisms from the ocean depths to the surface.
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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.
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Impact of Surface Currents on Climate: They affect terrestrial climate by circulating warm or cold water, influencing the air temperature above.
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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.