1. Ocean Currents

2. Ocean currents are streams of water that can move millions of cubic meters of water per second. Ocean currents are streams of water that can move millions of cubic meters of water per second. The gulf stream moves 15,000 cubic meters of water per second. The gulf stream moves 15,000 cubic meters of water per second. –The Mississippi River only moves 100 cubic meters. Click Here!Here

3. Two types of Ocean Currents Surface currents- move on or near the surface of the ocean and are driven by wind. Surface currents- move on or near the surface of the ocean and are driven by wind. Deep Currents- move slowly beneath the surface of the ocean and are caused by differences in the density of water. Deep Currents- move slowly beneath the surface of the ocean and are caused by differences in the density of water.

4. Ocean Currents: Surface and Deep

5. Deep Currents

6. Factors that Affect Ocean Currents Wind Wind Location of the Continents Location of the Continents

7. Factors Affecting Surface Currents Earth’s Rotation Earth’s Rotation –Coriolois Effect- Deflection of the earth’s winds and ocean currents caused by the earth’s rotation

8. Surface currents move ____________ in the Northern Hemisphere. Surface currents move ____________ in the Northern Hemisphere. __________________ in the Southern Hemisphere. Gulf Stream Flow __________________ in the Southern Hemisphere. Gulf Stream FlowGulf Stream FlowGulf Stream Flow

9. Factors affecting deep currents Salinity Salinity –Water with a lot of salt is more dense than water with a little salt Temperature Temperature –Cold Water is denser than warm water

10. Warm Currents Currents flowing from areas near the equator are __________________. Currents flowing from areas near the equator are __________________. –They Bring warm water into cooler regions. –These warm currents tend to warm the air over nearby land areas.

11. Cold Currents Currents coming from areas near the poles are ____________________. Currents coming from areas near the poles are ____________________. –They bring cold water into warmer regions. –These cold currents cool these areas.