BP- Ocean Currents

Ocean currents help move ships, animals, and even ______ around the world.

______ currents only affect the uppermost 100 to 200 meters of the ocean.

Ocean currents move in large circular patterns called ______ bordered by one or more continents.

What causes surface ocean currents to move in circular patterns called gyres?

• Underwater volcanoes

• Ocean tides

• Wind and the Coriolis effect

• Warm and cold ocean surface temperatures

How does the Gulf Stream affect the climate of Paris, France?

• It makes winters warmer

• It causes strong winds

• It brings more rainfall

• It cools it down

What is the California Current's effect on Hawaii’s climate?

• Warms it up like other tropical locations

• Makes it colder than expected for the tropics

• Has no impact

• Makes it rain more often

Why does cold water sink in the North Atlantic?

• It's pulled by gravity from the South Pole

• It mixes with freshwater

• It’s denser than warm water

• It evaporates and cools

The entire journey of the global conveyor belt takes about ______ years.