ESRTs Ocean Currents

Arrows on the map represent ocean currents. These ocean currents affect the climate pattern of city X by

• decreasing the average annual cloud cover

• decreasing the average annual evapotranspiration

• increasing the average annual temperature

• increasing the average annual air pressure

Most of the Earth's surface ocean currents are caused by

• stream flow from continents

• differences in ocean water density

• the revolution of the Earth

• the prevailing winds

Surface ocean currents located at 40º south latitude, 90º west longitude generally flow toward the

• northeast

• southeast

• southwest

• west

Which two ocean currents are both warm currents that primarily flow away from the equator?

• Guinea Current and Labrador Current

• Brazil Current and Agulhas Current

• Alaska Current and Falkland Current

• Canaries Current and Gulf Stream Current

Which statement best summarizes the general effects of ocean currents at 20° S latitude on coastal regions of South America?

• The east coast and west coast are both warmed.

• The east coast and west coast are both cooled.

• The east coast is warmed and the west coast is cooled.

• The east coast is cooled and the west coast is warmed.

The arrows labeled A through D on the map show the general paths of abandoned boats that have floated across the Atlantic ocean. Which sequence of ocean currents was responsible for the movement of these boats?

• South Equatorial Gulf Stream Labrador Benguela

• South Equatorial Australia West Wind Drift Peru

• North Equatorial Koroshio North Pacific California

• North Equatorial Gulf Stream North Atlantic Canaries

The direction of surface ocean currents is influenced most by

• variations in density of the water

• variations in salinity of the water

• planetary winds

• land breezes and sea breezes

Which two 23.5°–latitude locations are influenced by cool surface ocean currents?

• the east coast of North America and the west coast of Australia

• the east coast of Asia and the east coast of North America

• the west coast of Africa and the east coast of South America

• the west coast of North America and the west coast of South America

The Florida and Gulf Stream ocean currents along the east coast of North America are both

• warm currents that flow northeastward

• warm currents that flow southwestward

• cool currents that flow northeastward

• cool currents that flow southwestward

Two coastal cities have the same latitude and elevation, but are located near different oceans. Which statement best explains why the two cities have different climates?

• They are at different longitudes.

• They are near different ocean currents.

• They have different angles of insolation.

• They have different numbers of daylight hours.