The Earth is heated ___ - it is warmer at the Equator and colder at the North Pole and South Pole.

The warm air at the equator rises, and the colder air at the North and South Poles flows towards the equator. The air flow would travel in a straight North/South line if the Earth did not rotate. But due to Earth's rotation, the air flow is ___.

When flowing water encounters a continent, it is ___.

The geography of the planet affects the currents as well. when flowing water encounter a continent, the water is deflected. The flow becomes a huge circular pattern/current called a ___.

There are two types of ocean currents: ___ and ___.

____ are driven by the unequal heating of the Earth and wind currents.

___ occur in patterns.

___ carry warm or cold water horizontally across the ocean's surface.

Because of the Coriolis Effect, ocean Surface Currents in the Northern Hemisphere curve in a ___ direction.

Because of the Coriolis Effect, ocean Surface Currents in the Southern Hemisphere curve in a ___ direction.

___ are cause by changed in the density of sea water.

Density is affected by changes in ___ and ___.

___ are also known as the "Global Conveyor Belt".

This is known as ____.

In Thermohaline Circulation the water increases in salinity because when sea ice forms, only pure water freezes leaving a higher ___ content. This increases the denstiy of the sea water and makes it sink. Surface water moves into take its place. Currents are generated driving the global conveyor belt.

___ surface currents increase moisture and warmth in the atmosphere above them.

___ surface currents cool the air above them.

The movement of the ___ and ___ help distribute the Sun's energy and in turn regulates the climate of the Earth.

Both El Nino and La Nina are caused by changes in the ___.

El Nino and La Nina occur when Pacific Ocean ___ change is extreme.

___ occurs when there are warmer than normal temperatures in the central and western Pacific Ocean along the equator.

La Nina occurs when there are cooler than normal temperatures in the central and western Pacific Ocean.

El Nino and La Nina are due to changes in ___ that blow between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer.

___ occurs when the winds become weaker.

___ occurs when winds get stronger.

The effects of El Nino and La Nina are most noticed during which season?

Which is stronger?

___ is a warm phase in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The surface temperature of the water becomes warmer than normal in the central and east-central near the equator.

___ leads to a low pressure system in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. This in part causes significant changes to weather in the United States.

___ is a cooler phase in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The surface temperature of the water becomes cooler than normal in the central and east-central near the equator.

___ creates a high pressure system in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. This in part causes significant changes to weather in the US.