1. Ocean Currents and Energy Distribution

2. Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Surface Currents
The movement of water both vertically and horizontally
Both surface and deep water
Play an important role in the global distribution of energy
Surface Currents
Get their energy from the friction between the wind and the oceans surface
Coriolis Effect: The effect that Earth’s rotation has on winds and ocean currents
Causes deflection towards circular paths
Deep Water Currents (thermohaline)
Make up 90% of currents
Due to density differences
1.salt
2. temperature

3. Ocean Currents Cold Currents Warm Currents From poles back to equator
Distribute heat from equatorial region towards the poles

4. Ocean Currents and Climate
Water stabilizes temperature
Land masses near the ocean on the windward side of continents receive temperature stabilizing land masses from over the ocean.
Moderate winters and cool summers
Ocean Currents affect local Climates
Gulf Stream makes Northwestern Europe warmer than it should be (at a subarctic latitude)
The Namibian desert is cooled by the Benguela current

5. El Nino
Animation