OCEAN CURRENTS Surface Currents Deep Water Currents Surface

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OCEAN CURRENTS Surface Currents Deep Water Currents

OCEAN CURRENTS Surface Currents Deep Water Currents

Surface Currents • 10% of ocean currents and movement of water – Moves water

Surface Currents • 10% of ocean currents and movement of water – Moves water horizontally, parallel to surface • Powered by the wind – Friction b/w air and water • Driven by huge circular patterns • Only move upper 100 meters of ocean – At times can extend 1000 meters

• Antarctic Circumpolar Current Strongest in the ocean – Only current that circles

• Antarctic Circumpolar Current Strongest in the ocean – Only current that circles the Earth. • Controls climate in three ways: – 1. Connects worlds oceans, redistributes heat and other properties influencing the patterns of temperature and rainfall. – 2. The vertical movement of water, caused by Antarctic freezing during the winter and warming during summer, controls the renewal of deep water in the worlds oceans. – 3. There is an exchange of gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, with the atmosphere at the sea surface. The ocean contains 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere, so the rate at which carbon dioxide is absorbed by the Southern Ocean can directly affect climate change.

Factors that Influence Surface Currents • The Coriolis Effect – Deflects currents North of

Factors that Influence Surface Currents • The Coriolis Effect – Deflects currents North of Equator to Right – Deflects currents South of Equator to Left • Due to Earth’s Rotation • The Continents – Large land masses deflect currents

Importance of Surface Currents • Distribute heat (from Equator) – Warm water flows away

Importance of Surface Currents • Distribute heat (from Equator) – Warm water flows away from equator – Transfers heat into the atmosphere i. e. Iceland – Very Far North - has warm (mild) climate despite of its location because the Gulf Stream flow past it.

Deep Water Currents • 90% of Ocean Currents & Movement of water • 16

Deep Water Currents • 90% of Ocean Currents & Movement of water • 16 X the force of ALL RIVERS COMBINED – Caused by density of water – Caused by solar radiation heat from Sun • Density is a function of temperature and salinity • When temperature and salinity change it causes a change in density of water i. e. Temperature ↑ - Density ↓ - Causes sinking of water Temperature ↓ - Density ↑ - Water floats to surface i. e. Thermohaline Current known as Global Conveyor Belt

Deep Water Currents

Deep Water Currents

Deep Water Currents

Deep Water Currents

Deep Water Currents

Deep Water Currents

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