Movements%20of%20the%20Ocean

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Movements of the Ocean

• Ocean Currents

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Types of Currents

• Surface Currents currents that move on or near
  the surface of the ocean
• Global Wind Belts
• Location of Continents
• Rotation of the Earth
• Deep Currents cold, dense currents far below
  the oceans surface
• Differences in density

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Surface Currents - Factors

• Global Wind Belts
• Trade Winds (east ? west)
• Westerlies (west ? east)
• Polar Easterlies (east ? west)
• Continental Barriers
• Continents cause the current to turn or divide

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Global Winds
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Surface Currents - Factors

• The Coriolis Effect
• Northern Currents CLOCKWISE
• Southern Currents COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

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Coriolis Effect
The curving of ocean surface currents is due to
the Earths rotation.
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Gyres Huge circles of moving ocean surface
currents.
North Atlantic Gyre
North Pacific Gyre
South Atlantic Gyre
South Pacific Gyre
Indian Ocean Gyre
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Water Density - Temperature

• As the water cools, the molecules get closer
  together.

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Water Density - Temperature

• As the water cools, the molecules get closer
  together.
• This causes the water to become more dense and
  then will sink .

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Water Density - Temperature

• As water warms, the molecules move away from each
  other.

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Water Density - Temperature

• As water warms, the molecules move away from each
  other.
• This causes the water to be less dense and thus
  rises.

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Water Density Salinity

• Water that contains salt is much denser than
  fresh water.
• When mixed with fresh water, the salt-water will
  sink.

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Water Density Turbidity

• Water that contains sediment is much more dense
  than fresh water.
• When mixed with clean water, the
  sediment-filled water will sink .
• This is called a turbidity current.

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Deep Ocean Currents
Antarctica (S Pole)
Arctic (N Pole)
Warm, surface water
cold, salty
Antartic intermediate water
North Atlantic deep water
colder, saltier
coldest, saltiest
Antartic bottom water
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Final Points

• Surface currents are mostly affected by the wind.
• Other two factors that affect surface currents
  are location of continents and the Coriolis
  Effect.
• Deep currents are mostly affected by differences
  in density.
• Density of water is affected by temperature,
  salinity, and turbidity. (temperature matters
  the most)