Winds, Currents, Climate , and the GPGP Review

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Coriolis Effect

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The apparent deflection of moving objects (like winds and currents) caused by the rotation of the Earth, resulting in a clockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

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Deep Currents

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The regular movements of water that occur far below the surface of the oceans, driven by differences in temperature and salinity.

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Downwelling

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The process where water piles up and sinks, often trapping nutrients on the seafloor, which can affect marine ecosystems.

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El Nino

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A climate pattern characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, which can disrupt normal weather patterns.

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La Nina

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A climate pattern that is the opposite of El Nino, characterized by cooler ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.

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Trade Winds

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The prevailing winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, which are a major driver of ocean currents.

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Gyre

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A large system of circulating ocean currents, typically driven by wind patterns and the Coriolis effect.

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Upwelling

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The process where deep, cold water rises to the surface, bringing nutrients that support marine life.

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Surface Currents

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Ocean currents that occur at or near the surface of the ocean, primarily driven by wind.

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Density Differences

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Variations in water density caused by differences in temperature and salinity, which can drive deep ocean currents.