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Published byElmer Poole Modified over 9 years ago
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*Refer to Chapter 11 in your Textbook
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Learning Goals: 1. I can differentiate between the various types of ocean currents. 2. I can describe the effect of coriolis on ocean currents.
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Currents “Rivers of the sea” 2 types: 1. Surface Currents (10% of all currents) Approx 0-400 m (1,300 ft) depth Driven by horizontal wind circulation 2. Deep Currents (90% of all currents) Driven by vertical thermohaline circulation Thermo = temp, haline = salt
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Surface Currents Map
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Normal Sea Surface Temperature:
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SST without Currents:
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Surface Boundary Currents: Eastern Cold Wide Shallow Slow Western Warm Narrow Deep Fast
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Gyres Gyre is a large circular flow of ocean water, or current located in each ocean basin 5 major: NAtlantic SAtlantic NPacific SPacific Indian
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Coriolis Coriolis is the effect of Earth’s rotation (the apparent deflection) on moving objects Clockwise in the Northern hemisphere Counterclockwise in the Southern hemisphere
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Temporary Surface Currents: Some surface currents occur temporarily because of wind and the topography of the beach/ocean floor: 1. Longshore Currents 2. Rip Currents 3. Upwelling Currents
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Temporary Surface Currents: Longshore currents occur parallel to shore because of waves Can be harmful to beaches by causing erosion
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Temporary Surface Currents: Rip currents occur perpendicular to shore because of wind, waves, and other currents Can be dangerous by pulling you out to sea
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Temporary Surface Currents: Upwelling currents occur due to the rising of cold, nutrient rich water This is very important to coastal ecosystem productivity
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Deep Ocean Currents: Density controls deep ocean currents Colder temp + Higher Salinity = Greater Density Global Conveyer Belt A system of deep ocean currents that connects all of the world’s ocean basins
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Global Conveyer Belt:
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