Ocean Currents and Their Characteristics

The strengthening of western boundary currents in both hemispheres.

Ocean currents found on the western sides of ocean basins.

Earth's rotation that deflects moving objects.

Western boundary currents are quicker than other ocean currents.

Western boundary currents are narrower and deeper than other currents.

A prominent Western Boundary Current in the North Atlantic.

A unit of flow rate, measuring a million cubic meters of water per second

The movement of cold, nutrient-rich water from deep ocean layers to the surface along eastern boundaries.

A cool ocean current flowing southward along the west coast of North America, bringing nutrient-rich water from higher latitudes.

Winds blowing from the ocean towards the land, contributing to upwelling by pushing surface water away from the coast.

The abundance of life in a particular ecosystem, often higher in areas with upwelling due to nutrient-rich water.

Warm ocean currents transfer heat from the equator towards the poles, warming the air at the coast and resulting in a humid climate for nearby landmasses.

Cool ocean currents bring cold water from higher latitudes towards the equator, cooling the air at the coast and creating a dry climate for nearby landmasses.

Ocean currents influence the climate of coastal areas by transferring heat from warmer regions to cooler regions. Warm currents bring warm, humid air, leading to a humid climate, while cool currents bring cool, dry air, resulting in a drier climate.

The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico up the eastern coast of North America. It brings warm, humid air, making the eastern coast of North America warmer and wetter than it would be otherwise.

The California Current is a cool ocean current that flows southward along the western coast of North America. It brings cool, dry air, creating a cooler and drier climate in California.

The Gulf Stream transports warm, tropical water northward, moderating the climates of Western Europe.

The eastward extension of the Gulf Stream, continuing to transport warm water towards Europe.

The Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Current keep Ireland, Great Britain, and parts of Norway warm, preventing them from being covered in ice.

The Gulf Stream is found in the North Atlantic Ocean, flowing northward along the eastern coast of North America.

The Gulf Stream flows northward along the eastern coast of the United States.

The Gulf Stream meanders and forms loops as it travels northward.

The Gulf Stream merges with the Sargasso Sea, a large area of calm water in the North Atlantic.

The Sargasso Sea is known for its unique biology, including the Sargassum seaweed that floats on its surface.

The Sargasso Sea is located in the center of the North Atlantic Gyre, a large system of rotating ocean currents.

Eastern Boundary Currents are generally colder and move slower than Western Boundary Currents.

Eastern Boundary Currents are shallower and wider than Western Boundary Currents.

Eastern Boundary Currents often have a higher amount of life due to the presence of nutrient-rich water from upwelling.

A large region in the North Atlantic Ocean named for the genus of seaweed called Sargassum.

A genus of free-floating seaweed that gives the Sargasso Sea its name.

It is home to a wide variety of marine life, from turtles and fish to invertebrates and even whales, all supported by the Sargassum.

It's a haven for many species, providing them with food, shelter, and breeding grounds thanks to the presence of the Sargassum.

It serves as a critical habitat and breeding ground for various aquatic organisms, showcasing the importance of this unique ecosystem.

Warm water trapped in a loop of the Gulf Stream, surrounded by cooler water.

Cold water trapped in a loop of the Gulf Stream, surrounded by warmer water.

The Gulf Stream can loop and meander, sometimes losing water volume and creating warm-core or cold-core rings.

The meandering Gulf Stream creates varied habitats, supporting unique and diverse species.

Meanders can cause the Gulf Stream to lose water volume, resulting in the formation of warm-core and cold-core rings, which contain unique collections of marine life.

A warm ocean surface current in the Gulf of Mexico that generates eddies and influences hurricane intensity.

Warm, rotating water masses that break off from the Loop Current, affecting the surrounding ocean environment.

Hurricanes gain strength when passing over warm water, like the Loop Current's warm eddies.

The Loop Current's warm eddies provide a source of heat for hurricanes, leading to their intensification as they pass over these warm water masses.

Hurricanes strengthen when passing over warm water because the warm water provides energy for the storm, leading to more powerful winds and heavy rainfall.