What causes surface currents quizlet?

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 three things cause 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 is the main cause of surface currents in the ocean?

Surface currents Large-scale surface ocean currents are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. These currents transfer heat from the tropics to the polar regions, influencing local and global climate.

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 is 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.

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 currents move?

Surface currents are powered by the sun and driven by the wind. The sun drives the global wind systems on Earth. When this wind blows over the surface of the ocean, it causes waves to form and the water at the surface to move. The force of the wind pushing on the water results in what are known as surface currents.

Are surface currents primarily caused by wind?

Tides contribute to coastal currents that travel short distances. Major surface ocean currents in the open ocean, however, are set in motion by the wind, which drags on the surface of the water as it blows. The water starts flowing in the same direction as the wind. But currents do not simply track the wind.

How currents are formed?

When the wind blows persistently in a particular direction, the wind stress on the sea surface causes the water in the upper layer to move bodily and a current is thereby formed. These wind-induced currents may be permanent in regions of strong prevailing winds but they do not flow in the same direction as the wind.

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 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.

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.

What are surface currents quizlet?

surface currents. ocean currents that occur at or near the surface of the ocean, caused by wind.

How do surface waves move?

0:142:41Surface 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.

What is meant by surface wave?

A surface wave is a seismic seismic wave that is trapped near the surface of the earth.