1. Ocean Currents and Climate
SPI
Describe how temperature differences in the ocean account for currents.

2. Ocean water contains streamlike movements of water called ocean currents. Currents are influenced by a number of factors, including weather, the Earth's rotation, and the position of the continents.

3. There are two types of ocean currents:

4. Surface Currents:
Horizontal, streamlike movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean are called surface currents

5. The Gulf Stream is one of the longest surface currents.

6. Surface Currents:
Surface currents are controlled by three factors which keep surface currents flowing in distinct patterns around the Earth.

7. Surface Currents:
1. Global Winds - winds that blow across the Earth's surface to create surface currents in the ocean.

8. Surface Currents:
Different winds cause currents to flow in different directions. Near the equator, the winds blow ocean water east to west, but closer to the poles, ocean water is blown west to east.

9. Surface Currents:
2. Coriolis Effect - The Earth's rotation causes wind and surface currents to move in curved paths rather than in straight lines..

10. Surface Currents:
The Coriolis Effect causes surface currents in the Northern Hemisphere to turn clockwise, and surface currents in the Southern Hemisphere to turn counterclockwise.

11. Surface Currents:
3. Continental deflections - When surface currents meet continents, the currents deflect, or change direction.

12. Surface Currents and Climate
Surface currents greatly affect the climate in many parts of the world. Some surface currents warm or cool coastal areas year-round.

13. Surface Currents and Climate
Surface currents are affected by the temperature of the water in which they form.

14. Surface Currents and Climate
Surface currents are classified as warm-water or cold-water.

15. Surface Currents and Climate
1. Warm-water currents begin near the equator and carry warm water to other parts of the ocean.

16. Surface Currents and Climate
2. Cold-water currents begin closer to the poles and carry cool water to other parts of the ocean.

17. Deep Currents:
Streamlike movements of ocean water located far below the surface are called deep currents. Deep currents are not directly controlled by wind.

18. Deep Currents:
Deep currents form in parts of the ocean where water density increases.

19. The density of ocean water is affected by temperature and salinity
Deep Currents:
The density of ocean water is affected by temperature and salinity

20. Deep Currents:
Decreasing the temperature of ocean water and increasing the water's salinity increase the water's density.