What is the cause of most surface currents?
Surface currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the Sun. 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.
What are three important surface currents?
Table 3.1.
| Abbreviation | Name of Current |
|---|---|
| NA | North Atlantic Current |
| NE | North Equatorial Current |
| NP | North Pacific Current |
| O | Oyashio Current |
What are the main surface currents?
Surface currents vary considerably in strength, width, temperature and depth. The five most notable gyres are as follows: Indian Ocean Gyre, North Atlantic Gyre, North Pacific Gyre, South Atlantic Gyre, and South Pacific Gyre.
What is the #1 factor affecting surface ocean currents?
Prevailing or planetary winds (e.g., trade winds, westerlies and polar winds) play major roles in the origin of ocean currents. The wind blowing on the water surface also moves water in its direction due to its friction with the water. Most of the ocean currents of the world follow the direction of prevailing winds.
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 are the causes of currents?
Ocean currents are driven by wind, water density differences, and tides….Oceanic currents are driven by three main factors:
- The rise and fall of the tides. …
- Wind. …
- Thermohaline circulation.
Feb 26, 2021
Why are surface currents important?
Surface currents are extremely important because they distribute heat around the planet. Surface currents also have a tremendous influence on climate around the globe.
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.
What is the main cause of the major surface currents of the world’s oceans quizlet?
ocean currents that occur at or near the surface of the ocean, caused by wind. affected by 3 factors; continental deflections, the coriolis effect, and global winds. when surface currents meet continents, the currents are deflected and change direction. In the Northern Hemisphere, currents are deflected to the right.
What is the primary cause of surface currents in the ocean 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 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.
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.
What causes the patterns of surface currents in the ocean quizlet?
The Sun heats the atmosphere unevenly, which causes wind that creates surface currents. Currents, steady fluid flows, travel in circular patterns known as gyres. Currents are predictable and are affected by the Coriolis Effect, which is due to Earth's rotation.
What is the main driving force of surface currents quizlet?
Wind is the primary driving force of surface currents. The Coriolis effect deflects the currents to the right (Northern Hemisphere) or left (Southern Hemisphere) of their path of motion (the prevailing wind direction).
What causes ocean currents?
Ocean currents are driven by wind, water density differences, and tides. Oceanic currents describe the movement of water from one location to another. Currents are generally measured in meters per second or in knots (1 knot = 1.85 kilometers per hour or 1.15 miles per hour).
What natural process is the main cause of the ocean currents?
What makes ocean currents flow? 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.
What is the main factor that produces surface currents and determines the direction quizlet?
The wind blows the water at the surface in a certain direction and forms the surface currents.