Ocean Currents

Front

What is a gyre?

Back

A large, circular surface-current pattern found in each ocean.

Front

What microscopic organism in the ocean uses photosynthesis?

Back

Phytoplankton.

Front

What happens to trade winds during an El Nino?

Back

They become weaker.

Front

What is salinity?

Back

The amount of salt found in water.

Front

What happens to warm air or water in convection?

Back

It rises.

Front

What is the California Current?

Back

A major ocean current that flows southward along the western coast of North America.

Front

What is the Global Conveyor Belt?

Back

A system of ocean currents that circulates water around the globe, affecting climate and weather patterns.

Front

What is the role of zooplankton in the ocean ecosystem?

Back

They are small, drifting animals that feed on phytoplankton and are a crucial part of the marine food web.

Front

How do ocean currents affect climate?

Back

They help distribute heat around the planet, influencing weather patterns and temperatures.

Front

What is upwelling?

Back

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