Ocean Currents What Are Currents? Current: a large stream of moving water that flows through the oceans. Currents carry water over very long distances.

Ocean Currents Surface Currents Surface Currents: are only several hundred meters deep and are driven mainly by winds. In each of the 5 oceans they follow a circular pattern.

Ocean Currents Coriolis Effect Coriolis Effect: the effect of the Earth’s rotation on large scale wind patterns. In the northern hemisphere it causes currents to curve right. (left in the southern hemisphere)

Ocean Currents Gulf Stream Gulf Stream: is the largest and most powerful surface current in the North Atlantic. Carries 100 times as much water as the Mississippi River Carries 100 times as much water as the Mississippi River Brings warm water north Brings warm water north Was first identified by Benjamin Franklin Was first identified by Benjamin Franklin

Ocean Currents Gulf Stream

Ocean Currents Impact On Climate As global currents move warm water around, they greatly influence the climates of the world. Without the gulfstream, how do you think Europe’s climate would change?

Ocean Currents Deep Currents Deep Currents: are driven by differences in water temperature and salinity. Cold and salty water are more dense and sink toward the poles.

Deep Water Currents

Ocean Currents Deep Currents What do you think will happen as the glaciers melt near the poles and the oceans become less salty?

Ocean Currents Upwelling Upwelling: is the movement of cold deep water to the surface of the ocean. Occurs as wind blows away warm surface water.

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