Ocean Currents

Front

What is upwelling?

Back

The movement of deep, cold, nutrient-filled water to the surface of the ocean.

Front

How does salinity affect water density?

Back

As salinity increases, density increases.

Front

What primarily causes surface currents in the ocean?

Back

Wind.

Front

What are regular movements of water far below the ocean's surface called?

Back

Deep Currents.

Front

Where do warm ocean currents generally originate from?

Back

The Equator.

Front

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Back

The deflection of moving objects, such as ocean currents, due to the rotation of the Earth.

Front

What are surface currents?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between deep currents and surface currents?

Back

Deep currents are movements of water far below the surface, while surface currents occur at the ocean's surface.

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 thermohaline circulation?

Back

A global ocean circulation driven by differences in water density, affected by temperature and salinity.