What causes ocean surface currents?

What causes ocean surface currents?

Winds, water density, and tides all drive ocean currents. Coastal and sea floor features influence their location, direction, and speed. Earth's rotation results in the Coriolis effect which also influences ocean currents.

What are the three things that create surface currents?

Surface currents are controlled by three factors: global winds, the Coriolis effect, and continental deflections. surface create surface currents in the ocean. Different winds cause currents to flow in different directions. objects from a straight path due to the Earth's rotation.

What are surface currents?

Surface currents are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. These currents bring heat from the tropics to the polar regions; the Gulf Stream, for instance, brings warm water along the eastern coast of the US up to Northern Europe.

What causes ocean currents quizlet?

A directional movement of ocean water; surface currents result from steady winds over the ocean surface; deep ocean currents result from density variations due to temperature and salinity differences.

Whats a surface current?

(′sər·fəs ‚kə·rənt) (oceanography) Water movement which extends to depths of 3-10 feet (1-3 meters) below the surface in nearshore areas, and to about 33 feet (10 meters) in deep-ocean areas. Any current whose maximum velocity core is at or near the surface.

What causes surface currents and deep currents?

Deep currents are driven by temperature and water density/salinity. Of course, deep currents impact surface currents, which carry warm water to the poles. Surface currents are also driven by global wind systems fueled by energy from the sun. Factors like wind direction and the Coriolis effect play a role.

What causes ocean surface currents quizlet?

What causes surface currents to move? It is caused by wind action, Earth's spin, and the shape of the continents. Also, the speed, direction, and volume of water can be affected by the uneven heating of the atmosphere. The force of wind blowing over the top of the Earth.

What causes surface currents quizlet?

What causes surface currents to move? It is caused by wind action, Earth's spin, and the shape of the continents. Also, the speed, direction, and volume of water can be affected by the uneven heating of the atmosphere. The force of wind blowing over the top of the Earth.

What causes surface currents and deep currents quizlet?

Surface currents occur at the surface of the ocean and are caused by global winds; the Gulf Stream is an example. Deep currents occur deep in the ocean and are influenced by water density, salinity, and temperature.

What causes surface waves?

Wind-driven waves, or surface waves, are created by the friction between wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest. These types of waves are found globally across the open ocean and along the coast.

What causes currents quizlet?

Both rivers and surface currents are long, moving bodies of water. However, rivers flow because of the pull of gravity, while surface currents are driven by the wind and by the rotation of the Earth. What are three factors that control deep currents? Density, salinity, and temperature; accept also the Coriolis effect.

Which factor causes surface ocean currents quizlet?

Wind direction, the spin of Earth, and differences in temperature contribute to currents. Currents occur at the surface of and deep within the ocean. The Coriolis effect contributes to the direction of current flow. Wind direction, the spin of Earth, and differences in temperature contribute to currents.

How do surface waves start?

0:142:41Surface Waves- Types of Waves – YouTubeYouTube

What is a surface wave made of?

Surface waves are caused when P waves and S waves come to the surface. Examples are the waves at the surface of water and air (ocean surface waves). Another example is internal waves, which can be transmitted along the interface of two water masses of different densities.

How do surface waves work?

0:192:41Surface Waves- Types of Waves – YouTubeYouTube

How are surface waves generated?

Surface waves are typically generated when the source of the earthquake is close to the Earth's surface. As their name suggests, surface waves travel just below the surface of the ground.

Where do surface waves occur?

Surface waves are typically generated when the source of the earthquake is close to the Earth's surface. As their name suggests, surface waves travel just below the surface of the ground.

How do you make surface waves?

0:412:41Surface Waves- Types of Waves – YouTubeYouTube

Where do surface waves start?

Surface waves are similar in nature to water waves and travel just under the Earth's surface. They are typically generated when the source of the earthquake is close to the Earth's surface.

How do surface waves move?

In a surface wave, particles of the medium move up and down as well as back and forth in an overall circular motion. The particles don't actually move closer to shore as the waves pass through. In shallow water close to shore, waves start to drag on the bottom of the water.