Ocean Currents

Front

What does the blue line represent in the Thermohaline circulation?

Back

Cold salty water

Front

Where do warm ocean currents generally come from?

Back

The Equator

Front

What is the Gulf Stream an example of?

Back

Surface current

Front

True or False: Surface currents affect coastal climates.

Back

True

Front

What two factors affect the ocean's density and cause the Global Conveyor Belt to travel?

Back

Temperature and salinity

Front

What is Thermohaline circulation?

Back

A large-scale ocean circulation driven by global density gradients created by surface heat and freshwater fluxes.

Front

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Back

The deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Front

What role do ocean currents play in climate?

Back

They help regulate temperatures and weather patterns by distributing heat around the planet.

Front

What is upwelling?

Back

The process where deep, cold water rises to the surface, bringing nutrients with it.

Front

What is the difference between surface currents and deep ocean currents?

Back

Surface currents are driven by wind and affect the upper layer of the ocean, while deep ocean currents are driven by density differences.