Ocean Surface Currents (Slides 1 & 2)
Surface currents flow like rivers in distinct patterns around the
Earth
The East Australian Current flows along the
East coast of Australia
When currents meet landforms, they
Change direction
Deep currents are stream-like movements of ocean water
far below the ocean surface
Waves are made of two main components
Crests and troughs
Streamlike movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean are called
Surface currents
The East Australian Current flows southward from the
Great Barrier Reef
Warm water currents begin near the
Equator
Deep currents are not controlled by wind or the
Coriolis effect
A crest is the
Highest point
Surface currents are controlled by four factors
Global winds, the Coriolis effect, continental deflections, and the water temperature
Speeds in the core of the EAC are among the
Strongest in the South Pacific
Cold water currents begin closer to the
Poles
Deep currents are mainly controlled by
Increases in water density
The trough is the
Lowest point
Which is one of the longest surface currents, transports 25 times more water than all of the rivers in the world, and flows from Florida to Iceland?
The Gulf stream
The speeds in the South Pacific are up to
4.5 mph
If Earth's surface were covered only with water, currents would travel in a fixed pattern across the Earth, but Earth’s surface is
Not covered with only water
Ocean water gets denser when it becomes
Saltier or gets colder
Ocean waves form because of
Friction between the wind and the surface of the water
Global winds blowing across the Earth’s surface create
Surface currents
The EAC is 100km wide and
1.5km deep
When currents meet landforms, they change direction this is known as
Continental deflection
Starting at a depth of about 200 meters, the water temperature becomes
Colder as the depth increases
Mechanical waves are waves that
Require a medium