Table of Contents
What 4 drives surface currents?
Ocean currents are driven by wind, water density differences, and tides. Oceanic currents describe the movement of water from one location to another….The term “current” describes the motion of the ocean.
- The rise and fall of the tides.
- Wind.
- Thermohaline circulation.
What are surface currents driven by quizlet?
Ocean currents can be separated into two types: those that are created by wind energy and those that are created by density differences. Surface currents in the ocean are primarily driven by the wind.
What are surface currents and deep currents driven by?
The winds pull surface water with them, creating currents. In contrast to wind-driven surface currents, deep-ocean currents are caused by differences in water density. The process that creates deep currents is called thermohaline circulation—“thermo” referring to temperature and “haline” to saltiness.
What are the three factors of surface currents?
13 Causes of Ocean Surface Circulation Currents Trade Winds. Trade winds are the winds that blow in the direction from east to west. Westerlies. Westerlies are winds that are similar to the Trade winds. Coriolis Forces. Landform Position. Density Differences. Temperature. Salinity of ocean water. Ocean Storms. Underwater Earthquake. Gulf Stream Wind.
What is the direct cause of surface currents?
Surface ocean currents are mainly caused by wind. The winds that most affect the oceans’ currents are: The Westerlies (40-50 degree latitudes) blow west to east. The Trade Winds (20 degree latitudes) blow east to west.
What causes the continuous flow of surface currents?
Surface currents are usually caused by the wind. As the wind changes, the current may change as well. Currents are also influenced by the rotation of the Earth called the Coriolis effect. This causes currents to flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counter clockwise in the southern hemisphere .
What force is involved in the development of surface currents?
Patterns of surface currents are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents. Surface wind-driven currents generate upwelling currents in conjunction with landforms, creating deepwater currents.