Ocean Currents

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Coriolis Effect Noun

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[kor-ee-oh-lis uh-fekt]

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Coriolis Effect

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The deflection of moving objects from a straight path due to the Earth's rotation, influencing winds and ocean currents.

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Example: Earth's rotation causes planetary winds to curve, deflecting to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

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Upwelling Noun

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[uhp-wel-ing]

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Upwelling

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The process where deep, cold, and typically nutrient-rich water rises toward the surface, often pushed by winds.

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Example: Wind blowing along the coast pushes surface water away, allowing cold, nutrient-rich deep water to rise to the surface.

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Downwelling Noun

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[doun-wel-ing]

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Downwelling

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The vertical movement of surface water downward in the ocean, often caused by converging currents or increased density.

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Example: In polar regions, cold, salty surface water becomes very dense and sinks to the deep ocean, a process called downwelling.

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Surface Currents Noun

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[sur-fis kur-uhnts]

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Surface Currents

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Wind-driven currents affecting the upper 400 meters of the ocean, making up about 10% of all ocean water.

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Example: This world map illustrates how surface currents form large, rotating ocean systems called gyres, distinguishing between warm (red arrows) and cold (blue arrows) water.

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Continental Deflections Noun

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[kon-tuh-nen-tl di-flek-shuhns]

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Continental Deflections

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The phenomenon where surface currents change direction upon meeting a continent or other large landmass.

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Example: When moving ocean currents encounter a continent, they are forced to change direction, or deflect, as shown by the red arrows turning when they hit land.

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Convection Noun

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[kuhn-vek-shuhn]

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Convection

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The movement within a fluid caused by hotter, less dense material rising and colder, denser material sinking.

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Example: Heat from the stove warms the water at the bottom, causing it to become less dense and rise. Cooler, denser water from the top sinks, creating a circular flow.

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Gulf Stream Noun

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[gulf streem]

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Gulf Stream

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An intense, warm ocean current in the western North Atlantic Ocean that moves north along the coast of Florida.

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Example: This map shows the Gulf Stream as a warm ocean current starting near the Gulf of Mexico, moving across the Atlantic, and cooling as it travels north.

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Thermohaline Circulation Noun

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[thur-moh-hey-lahyn sur-kyuh-ley-shuhn]

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Thermohaline Circulation

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Large-scale ocean circulation driven by differences in water density, controlled by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline).

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Example: Cold, dense water sinks near the poles and flows along the ocean floor, while warmer surface water moves to replace it, creating a global current.

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Deep Ocean Currents Noun

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[deep oh-shuhn kur-uhnts]

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Deep Ocean Currents

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Currents moving along ocean basins driven by density forces and gravity, making up 90% of the ocean's water.

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Example: This diagram shows the global 'ocean conveyor belt,' where cold, salty water sinks to form deep currents, while warm water flows near the surface.

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Density Current Noun

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[den-si-tee kur-uhnt]

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Density Current

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A current produced by differences in water density, causing denser water to sink beneath less dense water.

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Example: Colder or saltier water is denser and sinks beneath warmer or less salty water. This image shows less dense, fresh meltwater floating on top of denser saltwater.