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ENERGY TRANSFER AND OCEANIC CIRCULATION. World Ocean Currents. See your map on p15 and notice the following: In N.Hemisphere gyres have clockwise pattern In S. Hemispher gyres have an anti-clockwise pattern Main exception Antarctice Circumpolar Current (west wind drift)
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See your map on p15 and notice the following: • In N.Hemisphere gyres have clockwise pattern • In S. Hemispher gyres have an anti-clockwise pattern • Main exception Antarctice Circumpolar Current (west wind drift) Why do you think these patterns occur?
Various factors are responsible: • Currents respond to wind patterns. • Earth’s rotation and coriolis encourage currents to move • Shape of land masses • Temperature differences and influence on water density Think of examples for each of these factors