Winds and Ocean Currents Latent Heat Transport 580

Winds and Ocean Currents

Latent Heat Transport 580 cal/g Surface wind

Northern Hemisphere 60 o 30 o 0 o

Northern Hemisphere Fronts 60 o 30 o Hurricanes Something is redirecting the wind 0 o

The Coriolis Effect Due to the rotation of a spherical earth What is the circumference of the Earth? ~ 25, 000 miles How long does it take for the earth to make one rotation? 0 mi/hr 25, 000 mi at 0 o latitude 1042 mi/hr 24 hours

stationary 1042 mi/hr

The Coriolis Effect Velocity at 90 o latitude zero Velocity at equator 1042 mi hr Objects moving in the northern hemisphere deflect to the right of the direction of travel.

The Coriolis Effect Stationary Velocity at 90 o latitude zero Velocity at equator 1042 mi hr 1042 mi/hr Objects moving in the northern hemisphere deflect to the right of the direction of travel.

Northern Hemisphere 60 o 30 o 0 o The Coriolis Effect deflects the wind to the right of the direction of travel

60 o 30 o 0 o The Coriolis Effect deflects the wind to the right of the direction of travel

Surface Winds 60 o Prevailing Westelies 30 o Tropical Easterlies Equator 30 o 60 o

In the Northern Hemisphere moving objects, including air, are deflected to the right of the direction of travel In the Southern Hemisphere moving objects, including air, are deflected to the left of the direction of travel

1042 mi/hr stationary

The Coriolis Effect Velocity at equator 1042 mi hr Velocity at 90 o latitude zero Objects moving in the southern hemisphere deflect to the left of the direction of travel.

60 o 30 o Equator 30 o 60 o In the Southern Hemisphere moving objects, including air, are deflected to the left of the direction of travel

60 o 30 o Equator 30 o 60 o

descending Calm air rising descending Calm air

Hurricane Track 30 o 0 o

30 o

Sailing, Sailing… Westerlies 30 o Trade winds (easterlies)

Winds and Ocean Currents

Ocean Surface Currents Forces 1. Solar Heating (temp, density) 2. Winds 3. Coriolis

Solar Heating and Density Mass Volume (g) (cm 3) Water Expands as it is heated

Solar Heating Heat expands water near the Equator, increasing its volume and creating a bulge Equator

Solar Heating Heat expands water near the Equator Increasing its volume and creating a bulge N Water flows toward pole equator S Water flows away from equator Water flows toward pole

General Circulation pole Ocean equator Earth Sun’s rays

General Circulation (North) 1. Solar Heating 2. Winds 3. Coriolis 30 o Surface Water equator

Winds Guide the Direction of Surface Water Winds blow to the west between 0 o and 30 o latitude. 30 o 0 o

General Circulation (North) 30 o wind equator Surface Water

The Coriolis force deflects objects To the right of the direction of motion.

Winds plus Coriolis Force East winds blow water to the west Coriolis deflects water to the right (east). 30 o East wind equator

Winds plus Coriolis Force Above 30 o, westerlies push water to the east. Coriolis deflects water to the right in the direction of travel (east). West wind 30 o East wind equator

Water encounters land is deflected north and south. The bulk is deflected to the south, and Coriolis deflects it to the right Below 30 o, moving water encounters east wind and is moved to the west West wind East wind

Atlantic Gyre

Temperature/Energy Transfer cool warm cool

Unusual Example of Heat Transport

Ireland Gulf Stream England Spain

Ireland England Spain cornwall

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