Ocean Currents Review

Front

What are ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents are large-scale movements of seawater that flow through the world's oceans, driven by factors such as wind, temperature, salinity, and the Earth's rotation.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving objects, such as ocean currents, caused by the rotation of the Earth. It causes currents to curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Front

What is the difference between warm and cold ocean currents?

Back

Warm ocean currents originate near the equator and carry warm water towards the poles, while cold ocean currents originate near the poles and carry cooler water towards the equator.

Front

What is the Gulf Stream?

Back

The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows along the eastern coast of the United States, influencing the climate of the region.

Front

What is the California Current?

Back

The California Current is a cold ocean current that flows southward along the western coast of North America, bringing cooler temperatures to the coastal areas.

Front

How do ocean currents affect climate?

Back

Ocean currents help regulate the Earth's climate by distributing heat around the planet, influencing weather patterns and temperatures in coastal regions.

Front

What causes deep ocean currents?

Back

Deep ocean currents are primarily caused by differences in water density, which is affected by temperature and salinity.

Front

What is salinity?

Back

Salinity is the measure of the amount of salt dissolved in water, which affects water density and can influence ocean currents.

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and water density?

Back

Colder water is denser than warmer water, which means that as water cools, it sinks, contributing to deep ocean currents.

Front

What is the role of wind in ocean currents?

Back

Wind drives surface ocean currents by exerting friction on the water's surface, creating movement in the upper layers of the ocean.