1. 6th Grade Earth Science Sutton Middle School
Ocean Currents
6th Grade Earth Science
Sutton Middle School

2. Land has a lower specific heat!
Fill in the blanks!
Land has a lower specific heat!
Land heats up _______ than water, but it also cools off more __________.
Oceans heat _______, hold heat well, and give off heat slowly.
In winter, the ocean acts like a heater because it keeps the coastal climate ___________
In summer, the ocean acts like an _______________as cooler ocean air moves inland through convection currents.
Land near the ocean is often _______ in winter and cooler in the________. 8

3. Land has a lower specific heat!
Land heats up faster than water, but it also cools off more quickly.
Oceans heat slowly, hold heat well, and give off heat slowly.
In winter, the ocean acts like a heater to faster cooling land.
In summer, the ocean acts like an air conditioner as cooler ocean air moves inland through convection currents.
Land near the ocean is often warmer in winter and cooler in summer. 8

4. Mass movement or flow of ocean water River within the ocean Two types
Ocean Currents
Mass movement or flow of ocean water
River within the ocean
Two types
Surface and Deep

5. Surface Currents
Link
Horizontal, stream-like movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean
Can reach depths of several hundred meters
Example: Gyres

7. Controlled by three factors Global winds Coriolis Effect
Surface Currents
Controlled by three factors
Global winds
Coriolis Effect
Continental Deflections

8. Surface Currents Global Winds
Cause surface currents to flow in the direction the wind is blowing
EX: Jet Stream
Coriolis Effect Link
The apparent curving of moving objects due to the Earth’s rotation

9. Surface Currents Coriolis Effect Northern Hemisphere = clockwise
Southern Hemisphere = counter clockwise
Continental Deflections
Shape of continents change the direction of current flow

10. Deep Currents
Stream like movement of ocean water far below the surface
Caused by
Changes in density
Change in temperature
Change in salinity

12. What Effects Deep Currents?
Change in temperature
Decreasing the temperature of water increases density
Change in salinity
Increasing the salinity of water increases density

13. Currents and climate
Warm water currents
Bring warm water to colder regions

15. Currents and climate
Cold water currents
Bring cold water to warmer regions

17. Why are Ocean Currents Important?
They make the average temperatures of climates more similar
This is on a large scale
Ocean air holds a lot of water vapor – so there is more rain at the coast
Currents redistribute heat throughout the globe
Example: Gulf Stream brings warm air into England, making it warmer

18. What is a surface current and what causes them?
Question 1
What is a surface current and what causes them?

19. They are powered by wind
Answer
Surface currents move water horizontally – parallel to the Earth’s surface
They are powered by wind

20. What is the Coriolis Effect?
Question 2
What is the Coriolis Effect?

21. Answer
The Coriolis effect is the shifting of winds and surface currents caused by Earth’s rotation.

22. Question 3
What is upwelling?

23. Answer
Upwelling is a vertical circulation in the ocean that brings deep, cold water to the ocean surface.