2. What are Ocean Currents?
● Ocean currents are cohesive movements of
water. They have the power to control and
move the ocean.
● These currents can traverse many oceans of
the world and last for centuries, while some
quickly die out.
● Ocean currents play an important role in the
weather of the planet. Ocean currents help
spread and circulate moisture, warmth and
cool fresh air to maintain Earth's balance.
Some famous currents are: The California and
Humboldt currents, the Gulf Stream and
Labrador Current, and the Indian Monsoon
Current.
3. Are there different sorts of Ocean Currents?
- Surface currents
● Of course! There are primarily two sorts
of ocean currents: Surface, and deep
water.
● Surface currents are exactly what they
sound like. They are created by the
stirring of the wind, and form in the
upper 400 meters of the ocean.
● The circular movement of the wind on the
surface makes spiralling currents, which
are called gyres. Gyres move clockwise in
the northern hemisphere, and move "The circular
movement of the wind
counter-clockwise in the souther on the surface makes
hemisphere. spiralling currents,
which are called
● Surface currents form 10% of the ocean. gyres."
4. Are there different sorts of Ocean Currents?
- Deep water currents
● Of course! There are primarily two sorts of
ocean currents: Surface, and deep water
(also called Thermohaline circulation.)
● Deep water currents make up the rest of
the 90% of the ocean.
● They are mainly caused by differences of
density in the water, so gravity is key in
their formation.
● The density of water is controlled by it's
salinity, and the temperature. The more salt
the water has, the denser it is. Warm water "This churning cycle
holds less salt than cold water, and thus it or rising and sinking
rises, while salt-laden cold water sinks. This creates deep water
churning cycle or rising and sinking creates currents."
deep water currents.
5. Are there different sorts of Ocean Currents?
- Deep water currents
● (Continued from last slide...)
● Another factor that creates Deep water
currents is the topography of the ocean
floor and the shape of the basin. The ocean
floor has hills and mountains just like the
dry world. These irregularities restrict the
movement of the water and make it funnel.
● Thermohaline circulation is also known as
the "Global Conveyor Belt."
● Deep water circulation forms a loop that
goes through all the oceans, in a pattern of "...a loop that goes
cool and warm water that rises and sinks. through all the
oceans, in a pattern
This is very much like a conveyor belt, thus of cool and warm
the name. water that rises and
sinks."
6. The Impact of Ocean Currents
● Ocean currents help regulate the
temperature and weather, and are very
important for both humans, and animals.
● For example, the gulf stream moderates
London's temperature. Without the current,
London would experience extreme and very
cold weather.
● If the Gulf stream was disturbed, it would
effect many lives.
● Currents also cause upwelling, in parts like
Peru. Currents cause nutrient rich water to "...Currents cause
nutrient rich water to
seep into the soil, making the land fertile seep into the soil,
and perfect for kelp beds and marine making the land
fisheries. fertile... "
