Ocean Currents
• Streamlike movements of water.
Surface Currents
• Streamlike movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean.
The Coriolis Effect
• The Earth’s rotation causes wind and surface currents to move in curved paths rather than in straight lines.
Deep Currents
• Streamlike movements of ocean water far below the surface.
THREE FACTORS THAT CONTROL SURFACE CURRENTS
1. GLOBAL WINDS
2. COROLIS EFFECT
3. CONTINENTAL DEFLECTION
THREE FACTORS THAT CAUSE DEEP CURRENTS
1. DECREASING TEMPERATURES
2. INCREASING SALINTY THROUGH FREEZING
3. INCREASING SALINITY THROUGH EVAPORATION
BRAIN POP VIDEO
• http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0078617006/164155/00050756.html
BRAIN POP VIDEO QUIZ:OCEAN CURRENTS
Think about the following questions. Then during the discussion of the video, write down your answers!
(1) What is the main force that drives surface currents?(2) What causes the Coriolis Effect?(3) The Gulf Stream delivers warm water to what region?(4) What happens to the warm water carried by the Gulf
Stream?(5) What happens to warm ocean water when its loses heat
energy?(6) What is the system of deep and shallow currents that circles
the earth called?(7) How does it take ocean water to travel completely around
the Earth?
