Ocean Circulation

Components of the Climate System ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Image from NASA

Atmosphere & Ocean Circulation ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Why is Ocean Circulation Important? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Temperature Structure of Ocean thermocline

Wind-drive ocean surface currents Wind driven surface currents ,[object Object],[object Object]

Sea Surface Temperature http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/dees/ees/climate/slides/sst_march.gif

Ocean Salinity ,[object Object],[object Object]

Temperature-Salinity (density) Diagram

Thermohaline Circulation North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW 15 million m 3 of near surface water descend into the deep ocean each second.

Thermohaline Circulation - The Ocean Conveyor

Equatorial to polar heat transport and water flow

Ocean – Atmosphere Circulation

UNEQUAL HEATING OF EARTH BUT – Outgoing solar radiation is not as uneven

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