Ocean Currents Notes 10.31.11
-Winds blow across the Earth's surface creating surface currents that can reach dapths of several hundred meters.
-Different winds cause currents to flow in different directions
-Near the Equator, winds blow ocean water East to West
-Closer to the Poles, ocean water moves West to East
*Merchant ships often use these currents to travel more quickly back and forth across the oceans
Coriolis Effect
-The force due to the Earth's rotation that cause objects in motion to veer to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemishpere
Surface Ocean Currents
Continental Deflection
-If the Earth's surface were covered only with water, surface currents would travel freely in a uniform pattern
-When surface currents meet continents, they deflect, or change direction
*Continental Deflection is a key factor for ocean currents
Convection Cells
-Sun's energy causes convective movement of the ocean's water as heat from the sun causes differences in the density of water
Deep Ocean Currents
-Powered by temperature, density, and salinity
-Cooler saltier water is more dense causing it to sink (Dead Sea)
-The water is then pushed around the globe until it warms up
Great Ocean Conveyor Belt
-Can take 1,000 years to make one lap
-Deep ocean currents
-affected by salinity, temperature, and density
-Can take 1,000 years to make one lap
-Deep ocean currents
-affected by salinity, temperature, and density