Ocean Surface Currents (Slides 1 & 2)
Streamlike movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean are called
Surface currents
Although the movie Nemo portrayed the east Australian Current very similar to its real parallel there are a few differences. Is the current a narrow jet that you can jump in and out of? Why or why not
No, it is not the current is much bigger and much wilder than in the movie.
When currents meet landforms, they change direction and this is known as?
Continental deflection
What are deep currents?
Deep currents are stream-like movements of ocean water far below the ocean surface
What two main components make up waves?
The two main components that makeup waves are the crests and troughs
What are four factors that control surface currents?
global winds, the Coriolis effect, continental deflections, and the water temperature.
How many cubic meters of water that goes southward can the Australian current produce in one second?
40 million cubic meters
Where do warm water currents begin?
Warm water currents begin near the equator
Are deep currents controlled by wind or the Coriolis effect?
No deep currents are not controlled by wind or the Coriolis effect, they are mainly controlled by increases in water density
What is a wavelength?
A wavelength is the distance between two adjust crests or troughs
What creates surface currents?
Global winds blowing across the Earth’s surface cause surface currents
Approximately how wide is the Australian current?
About 100km wide
Warm-water currents create what type of climate?
Warm-water currents create warmer climates in coastal areas that would otherwise be much cooler (Iceland)
When does ocean water get denser?
Ocean water gets denser when it becomes saltier or gets colder
What is a wave hieght?
Wave height is the vertical distance between a waves crest and its trough
Up to how deep can surface currents be?
Surface currents can reach depths of several hundred meters
The east Australian current flows along the east coast of Australia, but in which direction does it flow in relation to the great barrier reef.
The Australian current flows Southward of the great barrier reef
Cold-water climates create what type of climate?
Cold-water currents create cooler climates in coastal areas that would be much warmer (San Francisco)
What are two things that affect the density of ocean water?
Temperature and salinity affect the density of ocean water
What are mechanical waves?
Mechanical waves are waves that require a medium
Up to how long can surface currents be?
Surface currents can reach lengths of several thousand kilometers
Besides a tube what can the Australian current be compared to?
A ribbon
What pattern do currents travel across the world in if it was covered in only water?
If Earth's surface were covered only with water, currents would travel in a fixed pattern across the Earth
Deep currents carry______, denser water along the ocean floor from the poles to the equator.
colder
What is a wave defined by?
A wave is defined as a transfer of energy