Ocean Currents

Front

What is ocean current?

Back

A continuous, directed movement of seawater generated by various forces acting upon the water, including wind, temperature differences, and salinity.

Front

What factors affect the density of seawater?

Back

Salinity and temperature are the primary factors that affect seawater density.

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and density in water?

Back

As temperature increases, the density of water decreases, making warmer water less dense than cooler water.

Front

What is convection in the context of ocean currents?

Back

Convection is the process of heat transfer through the movement of fluids, where warmer, less dense water rises and cooler, denser water sinks.

Front

What causes surface ocean currents?

Back

Surface ocean currents are primarily caused by wind blowing across the surface of the ocean.

Front

What does 'salinity' refer to?

Back

Salinity refers to the concentration of salts in water, typically measured in parts per thousand (ppt).

Front

What is the term for the circular path around the poles?

Back

Circumpolar.

Front

How does temperature affect ocean currents?

Back

Temperature differences in ocean water create variations in density, which drive the movement of ocean currents.

Front

What is the role of the Coriolis effect in ocean currents?

Back

The Coriolis effect causes moving water to turn and twist, influencing the direction of ocean currents based on the Earth's rotation.

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 density and temperature.