Ocean Currents Ocean Currents An ocean current is

  • Slides: 19
Download presentation
Ocean Currents

Ocean Currents

Ocean Currents An ocean current is a large amount of ocean water that moves

Ocean Currents An ocean current is a large amount of ocean water that moves in a particular unchanging direction. There are more than 20 major ocean currents. Currents can be warm or cold, depending on their origin.

http: //www. pbslearningmedia. org/asset/ttv 10_vid_currents/

http: //www. pbslearningmedia. org/asset/ttv 10_vid_currents/

Two types of ocean currents 1. surface currents (extend to an average depth of

Two types of ocean currents 1. surface currents (extend to an average depth of 200 m). 2. Thermohaline currents (occur deeper than 200 m).

Surface Currents These are caused by: 1. wind action 2. the Earth’s spin (Coriolis

Surface Currents These are caused by: 1. wind action 2. the Earth’s spin (Coriolis Effect) 3. shape of the continents

Wind Action As air moves over the ocean’s surface, its energy is transferred by

Wind Action As air moves over the ocean’s surface, its energy is transferred by friction to the water molecules, causing the ocean water to move.

Earth’s spin (Coriolis Effect) Earth spins from west to east (counter-clockwise), as winds and

Earth’s spin (Coriolis Effect) Earth spins from west to east (counter-clockwise), as winds and currents move over this spinning body, their paths get re-directed depending on what side of the equator they are on. As a result: clockwise pattern in the northern hemisphere counter-clockwise pattern in the southern hemisphere. Coriolis Effect: http: //video. mit. edu/watch/the-corioliseffect-4407/

Coriolis Effect Demo

Coriolis Effect Demo

Shape of Continents Moving currents are forced to turn when they meet a solid

Shape of Continents Moving currents are forced to turn when they meet a solid surface.

Gyres The currents in oceans appear to move in a circular pattern called gyres.

Gyres The currents in oceans appear to move in a circular pattern called gyres. The right side of gyres has cool water and the left side holds warm water (both affect weather on the land).

Wind-driven surface currents Figure 7 -4

Wind-driven surface currents Figure 7 -4

Antarctic surface circulation

Antarctic surface circulation

Atlantic Ocean surface currents

Atlantic Ocean surface currents

The Gulf Stream and sea surface temperatures The Gulf Stream is a warm, western

The Gulf Stream and sea surface temperatures The Gulf Stream is a warm, western intensified current Meanders as it moves into the North Atlantic Creates warm and cold core rings Figure 7 -16

Pacific Ocean surface currents Figure 7 -17

Pacific Ocean surface currents Figure 7 -17

Indian Ocean surface currents Northeast monsoon Southwest monsoon

Indian Ocean surface currents Northeast monsoon Southwest monsoon

Plastics in Our Ocean The great pacific garbage patch: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=3

Plastics in Our Ocean The great pacific garbage patch: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=3 qv f_zes. N 9 Y https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=az w. Kx. DVGmns Solutions https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ljrbt Ylku-k

Surface Current Assignment Rubber Ducks and Nike Shoes… Complete the Nike Shoe Investigation

Surface Current Assignment Rubber Ducks and Nike Shoes… Complete the Nike Shoe Investigation

OCEAN CURRENTS OCEAN CURRENT q Ocean currents areOCEAN CURRENTS OCEAN CURRENT q Ocean currents are
Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Warm currents flow awayOcean Currents Ocean Currents Warm currents flow away
Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Surface currents Upper 400Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Surface currents Upper 400
Currents Ocean Currents Ocean currents are a movementCurrents Ocean Currents Ocean currents are a movement
Currents Ocean Currents Ocean currents are a movementCurrents Ocean Currents Ocean currents are a movement
Ocean Currents Science 8 Ocean Currents An oceanOcean Currents Science 8 Ocean Currents An ocean
Surface Currents and Deep Currents Currents Current ASurface Currents and Deep Currents Currents Current A
Ocean Currents Surface Currents Deep Currents THE RUBBEROcean Currents Surface Currents Deep Currents THE RUBBER
OCEAN CURRENTS Surface Currents Deep Water Currents SurfaceOCEAN CURRENTS Surface Currents Deep Water Currents Surface
Ocean Currents Pages 343 351 Ocean Currents YouOcean Currents Pages 343 351 Ocean Currents You
Ocean Currents 65 Ocean currents are a massOcean Currents 65 Ocean currents are a mass
Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Mass movement or flowOcean Currents Ocean Currents Mass movement or flow
Ocean Currents Key Ocean Currents When poets andOcean Currents Key Ocean Currents When poets and
Ocean Currents Chapter 16 1 Ocean Currents MassesOcean Currents Chapter 16 1 Ocean Currents Masses
OCEAN CURRENTS AND WEATHER OCEAN CURRENTS AND WEATHEROCEAN CURRENTS AND WEATHER OCEAN CURRENTS AND WEATHER
Ocean Currents Ocean currents are river like movementsOcean Currents Ocean currents are river like movements
Ocean Currents module 11 Ocean currents are drivenOcean Currents module 11 Ocean currents are driven
11 2 Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Large amount11 2 Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Large amount