1. Current and Climate
Ch 13-4

2. Which is more dense? Hot water is red and cold water is blue.
Is cold water more dense than warm water?
How can you tell?
Explain.

3. Current A large stream of moving water that flows through the oceans
Can carry water from one place to another
Because of the density differences between warm and cold water some currents form on the surface of the ocean and others form deep in the ocean

4. Surface Currents Are driven mainly by winds.
Most flow east to west and then double back to complete the circle

5. Coriolis Effect
Because the Earth is moving on its axis this motion effects the elements of the Earth that can freely move

6. Coriolis Effect
In the Northern Hemisphere the currents curve to the right
In the Southern Hemisphere the currents curve to the left
The Coriolis effect is strongest at the poles and weakest at the equator.

7. Gulf Stream Most powerful surface current in the North Atlantic Ocean
Carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico up the North American coast

8. Gulf Stream
This powerful current brings warm water up from the tropics to northern countries like Norway
The heat exchange with the air allows northern points to experience milder climatic conditions despite the geography
Video

10. Effects on Climate Currents carry warm and cold water around the Earth
As heat is transferred from the water to the air (warm currents) or from the air to the water (cold currents)
The exchange of heat effects the weather patterns

12. El Nino
El Nino, an abnormal warming of surface ocean waters in the eastern tropical Pacific
Scientists do not fully understand
Can affect the ocean as well as the land
Causes a shift in the weather patterns around the world such as a unusually warm winter in the Northeastern USA

13. Deep Currents Caused by the differences in density of ocean water
Warm water moves from the Equator to the Poles
It gradually cools
Ice forms
The ice is fresh water
The remaining water has increased salinity
The water becomes dense and sinks
The deep currents carry cold, dense, highly salinated water from the Poles to the Equator

15. Upwelling
The movement of cold water upward from the deep ocean and now begins the shift to a warm current
The winds blow away warm water and cold water replaces it
Brings up nutrients from the deep ocean

16. Oceans in Motion
Safari Montage