ESS2.1 Day 5 Ocean Surface Currents

​​ESS2.1
Diagram oceanic and atmospheric convection patterns in a system that flow due to the uneven heating of the earth.

By Brittany Williams

​​EQ:
How does the uneven heating of earth create convection patterns in the ocean and atmosphere?

​Engage:

​​Engage:
We know convection currents happen in water.

1. Is it the same in the ocean?

2. What evidence can you share from this video?

Draw

Explore:

Draw and explain how you believe ocean currents happen.

Use color and be detailed.

Think about what we have been learning about the past few days!

​Explain:

• ​Warm water rises because it is less dense.

• Cold water sinks because it is more dense.

• This creates a circular movement called a convection current.

• Let's dive into surface currents.

​ Surface Currents:

Surface ocean currents are caused mainly by wind.
As the Sun heats the Earth, it creates global wind patterns.
These winds blow across the ocean's surface, and their friction pulls the water along, creating currents.
The Earth's rotation also steers these currents, pushing them in different directions. 

1. Global winds-

Winds that blow across the Earth’s surface create surface currents in the ocean. Different winds cause currents to flow in different directions.

​What causes surface currents:

When surface currents meet continents, the currents deflect, or change direction.

​​2. Continental deflection-

​3. The Coriolis Effect-
is the apparent curving of moving objects from a straight path due to the Earth’s rotation.

Why surface currents are important:

• Climate: They help regulate the Earth's climate by moving warm water from the equator towards the poles and cold water from the poles towards the equator. 

• Heat: They distribute the sun's heat around the planet, making some places warmer than they would otherwise be. 

• Nutrients: They carry nutrients and other important things across the ocean, which helps support ocean life. 

​Elaborate: pgs. 12-13,18-20