Currents/El Nino/La Nina

Front

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Back

The Coriolis Effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects (like air and water) caused by the rotation of the Earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, it causes moving objects to turn to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they turn to the left.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What causes surface currents in the ocean?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is upwelling?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

What is downwelling?

Back

Downwelling is the process where surface water sinks, often carrying oxygen-rich water to deeper layers of the ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is thermohaline circulation?

Back

Thermohaline circulation is a global ocean circulation pattern driven by differences in water density, which is affected by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

How does density affect deep ocean currents?

Back

Density differences, caused by variations in temperature and salinity, drive deep ocean currents, which are also known as thermohaline currents.

Front

What is the role of gravity in ocean currents?

Back

Gravity helps to pull water downwards and influences the movement of water in currents, especially in relation to density differences.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

How does the Earth's rotation influence ocean currents?

Back

The Earth's rotation affects the direction of ocean currents through the Coriolis Effect, causing them to curve rather than move in a straight line.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the difference between El Niño and La Niña?

Back

El Niño is characterized by warmer ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, while La Niña is characterized by cooler ocean temperatures in the same regions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What are global wind patterns?

Back

Global wind patterns are large-scale wind movements that occur due to the uneven heating of the Earth's surface, influencing weather and ocean currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6