Subtropical Gyres
Define gyre and describe its formation.
a large, circular system of ocean currents that rotates in a consistent direction.
driven by...
wind
Driven by...
differences in density caused by differences in temperature and salinity.
Is the ___ studied out of all ocean currents
Most/best.
Subtropical gyres are centered around...
30 degrees latitude
Affect on ____% of ocean on earth.
10
below or above the pycnocline?
Below
Moves ___ along the U.S. East Coast.
Northward.
Bounded by...
Equatorial Currents, Western Boundary Currents, Northern or Southern Boundary Currents, Eastern Boundary Currents
How much energy is transferred from the wind to the ocean.
2%
consist of ____ % of all ocean water.
90% of all ocean water.
Posses unique...
biological populations
Western Boundary Currents move ____ from ______.
Warm water from equatorial regions
Surface currents are ____ than the winds that affect them.
Slower
Originates in...
Originates in high latitude surface ocean
Merges with the _____ and circulates around _____
Merges with Sargasso Sea and circulates around center of North Atlantic Gyre.
List the five subtropical gyres and describe their location.
the North Atlantic Gyre (located in the North Atlantic Ocean), the South Atlantic Gyre (in the South Atlantic Ocean), the North Pacific Gyre (in the North Pacific Ocean), the South Pacific Gyre (in the South Pacific Ocean), and the Indian Ocean Gyre (in the Indian Ocean).
Generally follow earths ____ pattern.
Wind belt
Define Thermohaline Circulation
deep ocean circulation driven by temperature and density differences in water.
Gulf Streams water originate in...
The Gulf of Mexico.