Ocean Surface Currents (Slides 1 & 2)
Streamlike movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean are called
surface currents
The East Australian Current does flow along
the East coast of Australia, obviously. And it
does flow southward from the
great barrier reef
If Earth's surface were covered only with water, currents would travel in a
fixed pattern
Deep currents are
stream like movements
Waves are made of two main components -
crests and troughs
Surface currents flow like
Rivers
Speeds in the core of the EAC are
among the strongest in the South Pacific, up
to
4.5 mph an hour.
When currents meet landforms, they
change direction
Deep currents are mainly controlled by increases in
water density
A crest is the
highest point
Surface currents are controlled by four
factors: global winds, the Coriolis effect,
continental deflections, and
water temperature
Is the EAC narrow?
No
Warm water currents begin near the
Equator
temperature and salinity affect the
density of the ocean water
the trough is the
lowest point
What is the Coriolis affect?
The rotation of the earth affecting a moving object
How much water does the EAC move?
40 million cubic meters
Surface currents greatly affect the
climate
The denser water moves along the ocean floor and eventually travels toward
equator
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
(Follow up to 400 question)How many swimming pools is that?
16,000
Warm-water currents create warmer climates in coastal areas that would otherwise be much
cooler
Less-dense water always flows on
water
Waves move in a
circular pattern