the result of Earth's rotation on weather patterns and ocean currents. The Coriolis effect makes storms swirl clockwise in the Southern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

steady, predictable flow of fluid within a larger body of that fluid

ocean conveyor belt system in which water moves between the cold depths and warm surface in oceans throughout the world

rise and fall of the ocean's waters, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun

height above or below sea level

all forms in which water falls to Earth from the atmosphere

dry land on the side of a mountain facing away from prevailing winds

state of the atmosphere, including temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation, and cloudiness

layers of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial body.

area where prevailing winds from different areas meet and interact

a mound or ridge of loose sand that has been deposited by wind

tiny, dry particles of material solid enough for wind to carry.

to wear away

warm current that starts in the Gulf of Mexico and travels along the eastern coast of the U.S. and Canada before crossing the North Atlantic Ocean

amount of water vapor in the air

windblown soil or silt

belt of low-pressure air currents that circle the Earth at the Equator. Also known as the Monsoon Zone.

seasonal change in the direction of the prevailing winds of a region. Monsoon usually refers to the winds of the Indian Ocean and South Asia, which often bring heavy rains

winds that blow toward the Equator, from northeast to southwest in the Northern Hemisphere and from southeast to northwest in the Southern Hemisphere