Ocean Currents

Why is upwelling important?

• Upwelling regulates ocean temperature

• Upwelling provides nutrient rich water that sustains life

• Upwelling controls the tides

• Upwelling helps sailors to navigate the seas

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When surface currents meet continents they ___?

• Stop moving
• Are deflected (change paths)
• Continue in the direction they were going

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Two types of ocean currents are

• local and global
• sea and land
• surface and deep
• warm and cold

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The Gulf Stream carries warm water to the North Atlantic Ocean, which contributes to

• a mild climate for the British Isles.

• a harsh winter in the British Isles.

• a cold-water surface current that flows to the British Isles.

• a warm-water surface current that flows along the coast of California.

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Ocean currents affect climates around the world. Based on the map, which area MOST likely has a warmer climate than expected?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

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Currents that occur at or near the surface of the ocean are called 

• Deep Currents
• Convection Currents
• Surface Currents
• Wave Currents

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Surface currents are mainly caused by

• The Coriolis Effect
• Cold and Warm Water
• Convection
• Wind

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The warm, strong current off the coast of Florida is the 

• Gulf Stream
• California Current
• North Equatorial Current
• Brazil Current

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Ocean currents move energy in the form of

• Salt
• Water
• Heat
• Oxygen

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What causes surface currents north and south of the equator to move in different directions? 

• Gases in the ocean
• The rotation of the Earth
• Temperature differences
• Continental deflection

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