Oceans and Climate Visual Vocabulary

Learning Objectives SC.912.E.6.5: Describe the geologic development of the present day oceans and identify commonly found features. SC.912.E.7.2: Analyze the causes of the various kinds of surface and deep water motion within the oceans and their impacts on the transfer of energy between the poles and the equator

Oceans Water covers 70% of the Earth 97% is salt water in the oceans 3% of the water on Earth is fresh water

North Pole Located in the Artic Ocean which is the smallest and shallowest ocean Ice covers its surface all year

South Pole Located in Antarctica on a polar sheet The polar ice sheet is slowly moving at only 10 meters a year Therefore the position of the South Pole shifts over time

Ocean Water Temperatures Surface water temperature are warmer while deep water temperatures are colder.

El Nino The combined ocean and atmospheric cycle that results in weakened trade winds across the Pacific Ocean.

La Nina Unlike El Nino, La Nina is associated with cold ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

Ocean Circulation The ocean circulates warm and cold water across the world. The energy from the sun is the main source that drives all ocean circulations.

Ocean Current A large volume of water flowing in a certain direction

Surface Current Carry warm or cold water horizontally (left to right or right to left) across the ocean’s surface.

Coriolis Effect The movement water or fluids to the right or left that is caused by Earth’s rotation. It curves to the right in the Northern Hemisphere (clockwise) and curves to the left in the Southern Hemisphere (counterclockwise). This affects the movement of ocean currents.

Upwelling It is the vertical (upward) movement of water towards the ocean’s surface. It occurs when wind blows across the ocean’s surface and pushes water away. Then, deeper colder water is forced up the surface.

Deep Current Cold, dense water currents; larger and slower than surface currents. Also known as density currents, they move water downwards and carry water from the surface to deeper parts of the ocean

Global Conveyor Belt A current system where deep or density currents are “run” through the Great Ocean Global Conveyor Belt. The Global Conveyor belt allows ocean currents to circulate thermal energy around the world.

Thermohaline Circulation This is what drives the Global Convection Belt through the transfer of heat energy Depends on the density of salt in the ocean

Gulf Stream The Gulf Stream is a warm water current

Waves Waves change shape when it comes into contact with the seafloor

Rip Currents A fast narrow current running offshore and cutting through breaking waves Very dangerous for swimmers

Rip Current Safety