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Oceanography Ocean Currents

Oceanography Ocean Currents. Chapter 24.1 and 24.2. There are 2 types of ocean currents Surface Currents Density Currents ( currents under the surface). Surface Currents. Wind is the driving force behind surface currents **This should look REALLY familiar!.

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Oceanography Ocean Currents

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  1. OceanographyOcean Currents Chapter 24.1 and 24.2

  2. There are 2 types of ocean currents • Surface Currents • Density Currents ( currents under the surface)

  3. Surface Currents • Wind is the driving force behind surface currents **This should look REALLY familiar! Click here to see how wind and surface currents are related!

  4. Layers of the Ocean SURFACE CURRENTS Mixed Layer (2%) Temp Change Deep waters Density Currents

  5. Surface Currents • In the Northern Hemisphere, travel clockwise • In the Southern Hemisphere, travel counterclockwise • Like winds, this is due to the Coriolis Effect

  6. Turn to page 533!

  7. Global Surface Currents p.532

  8. Warm Ocean Currents • Travel __________ the equator. • This transfers ______ from the _________to the _______ • Example: • Creates the Sargasso Sea AWAY FROM ENERGY EQUATOR POLES GULF STREAM

  9. Cold Ocean Currents CANARY CURRENT (AFRICA) CALIFORNIA CURRENT

  10. Cold Ocean Currents TOWARDS • Travel __________ the equator. • Example: California Current: travels down the WEST side of the U.S. Canary Current: travels down the WEST side of AFRICA

  11. El Nino vs. Normal Conditions ~ Normal Conditions:

  12. El Nino vs. Normal Conditions ~ El Nino:

  13. Subsurface Currents • The driving force behind a subsurface current is _________________. • They are also known as ____________________________. • If water becomes denser it will ___________. • If it becomes less dense it will ___________. density density currents sink rise

  14. Global Conveyor Belt

  15. What are the ways (liquid)water becomes denser? Cooling – molecules closer together Evaporation – leaves salt behind Freezing – leaves salt behind

  16. Antarctic Bottom Water is created at the poles where freezing and cooling increase the salinity and the density of the water.

  17. Mediterranean Sea (p538) • This density current is caused by evaporation instead of freezing and cooling. Close to 30° latitude = Dry Air

  18. Upwelling • As wind drives water away from the coast, deep cold waters replace it • This brings CO2 to the surface for phytoplankton to feed on Click the picture to see the animation!

  19. Global Conveyor Belt

  20. Ocean Temperature Mixed Layer • Wind and waves mix heat evenly • Absorbs almost all of the sun’s light • Maximum depth usually 100 meters Thermocline • Area where temperature drops rapidly • Maximum depth usually 1000 meters Deep Water • Very cold water moving from poles to equator • Most dense water • Found beneath other ocean water in almost all ocean locations

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