*Refer to Chapter 11 in your Textbook

Learning Goals: 1. I can differentiate between the various types of ocean currents. 2. I can describe the effect of coriolis on ocean currents.

Currents “Rivers of the sea” 2 types: 1. Surface Currents (10% of all currents) Approx m (1,300 ft) depth Driven by horizontal wind circulation 2. Deep Currents (90% of all currents) Driven by vertical thermohaline circulation Thermo = temp, haline = salt

Surface Currents Map

Normal Sea Surface Temperature:

SST without Currents:

Surface Boundary Currents: Eastern Cold Wide Shallow Slow Western Warm Narrow Deep Fast

Gyres Gyre is a large circular flow of ocean water, or current located in each ocean basin 5 major: NAtlantic SAtlantic NPacific SPacific Indian

Coriolis Coriolis is the effect of Earth’s rotation (the apparent deflection) on moving objects Clockwise in the Northern hemisphere Counterclockwise in the Southern hemisphere

Temporary Surface Currents: Some surface currents occur temporarily because of wind and the topography of the beach/ocean floor: 1. Longshore Currents 2. Rip Currents 3. Upwelling Currents

Temporary Surface Currents: Longshore currents occur parallel to shore because of waves Can be harmful to beaches by causing erosion

Temporary Surface Currents: Rip currents occur perpendicular to shore because of wind, waves, and other currents Can be dangerous by pulling you out to sea

Temporary Surface Currents: Upwelling currents occur due to the rising of cold, nutrient rich water This is very important to coastal ecosystem productivity

Deep Ocean Currents: Density controls deep ocean currents Colder temp + Higher Salinity = Greater Density Global Conveyer Belt A system of deep ocean currents that connects all of the world’s ocean basins

Global Conveyer Belt: