Global Weather & Climate

Front

What are ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents are continuous flows of seawater in the ocean, driven by factors such as wind, temperature, and salinity.

Front

What primarily causes surface ocean currents?

Back

Surface ocean currents are primarily caused by wind.

Front

Why do land breezes blow from land to sea?

Back

Land breezes blow from the land towards the sea because the land cools off faster than the ocean.

Front

Where do warm ocean currents generally originate?

Back

Warm ocean currents generally come from the Equator.

Front

What type of water does the Gulf Stream carry from the east coast of the United States to the west coast of Europe?

Back

The Gulf Stream carries warm water.

Front

What is the role of prevailing winds in ocean currents?

Back

Prevailing winds influence the direction and strength of ocean currents.

Front

How do temperature and salinity affect ocean currents?

Back

Temperature and salinity affect the density of seawater, which in turn influences the movement of ocean currents.

Front

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

Back

Surface currents are driven by wind and occur in the upper layer of the ocean, while deep ocean currents are driven by differences in water density and occur below the surface.

Front

What is convection in the context of ocean currents?

Back

Convection refers to the movement of water caused by differences in temperature and density, contributing to deep ocean currents.

Front

What is the significance of the Coriolis effect on ocean currents?

Back

The Coriolis effect causes ocean currents to curve due to the rotation of the Earth, affecting their direction.