Ocean Surface Currents slides 1,2
Streamlike movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean are called
surface currents
Speeds in the core of the EAC are
among the strongest in the South Pacific, up
to
4.5 mph an hour.
Cold water currents begin closer to the poles and carry cool water to
other parts of the ocean.
deep currents are
stream-like movements of ocean water far below the ocean surface.
Waves are made of two main components
crests and troughs
Global winds blowing across the Earth’s surface create
surface currents
The East Australian Current transports a staggering
40 million cubic meters of water
some surface currents warm and some cool coastal areas year-round. This causes
changes in the atmosphere that disrupt the climate in many parts of the world.
Temperature and salinity affect
the density of ocean water.
A crest is
the highest point and the trough is the lowest point.
Surface currents can reach depths of
several hundred meters
The East Australian Current transports a staggering
100 km wide,
Cold-water currents create
cooler climates in coastal areas that would be much warmer
at a depth of about 200 meters, the water temperature becomes
colder as the depth increases.
Mechanical waves are
waves that require a medium.
The Gulf Stream, which is one of the
longest surface currents, transports ________
times more water than all of the rivers in
the world
25
The Gulf Stream ______ flow southward from the Great Barrier
does
Warm water currents begin near the
equator
Ocean water gets_______when it becomes saltier or gets colder.
denser
The denser water moves along the ocean floor and eventually travels toward the
equator
The Gulf Stream flows from Florida to __
iceland
the real East Australian Current is much
larger
Surface currents____the climate
affect
the water temperature becomes_____as the depth increases.
colder
A wave is defined as a
transfer of energy.