Ocean Currents Describe the role of ocean currents in redistributing surplus energy from the tropics to the higher latitudes. 10 marks Describe the role of ocean currents in redistributing surplus energy from the tropics to the higher latitudes. 10 marks Describe and explain the pattern of ocean currents in the Atlantic ocean. 10 marks Describe and explain the pattern of ocean currents in the Atlantic ocean. 10 marks

Ocean Currents The role of oceanic circulation is to redistribute stored solar energy form the equator to the poles. The role of oceanic circulation is to redistribute stored solar energy form the equator to the poles. Ocean currents are influenced by surface winds and corilois, meaning that winds do not blow straight from the equator to the poles. Ocean currents are influenced by surface winds and corilois, meaning that winds do not blow straight from the equator to the poles. Other influences, continents deflect and channel the currents causing them to flow N&S instead of E&W in higher latitudes. Other influences, continents deflect and channel the currents causing them to flow N&S instead of E&W in higher latitudes. Above 45 degrees on a western seaboard warm current e.g. North Atlantic drift. Below 30 degrees on a western seaboard you get a cold current e.g. canaries current. Above 45 degrees on a western seaboard warm current e.g. North Atlantic drift. Below 30 degrees on a western seaboard you get a cold current e.g. canaries current. Water stores solar energy better than land, as it heats up slowly and cools down slowly. In the winter coastal location are warming than inland locations at the same latitude. E.g. Glasgow and Moscow. Water stores solar energy better than land, as it heats up slowly and cools down slowly. In the winter coastal location are warming than inland locations at the same latitude. E.g. Glasgow and Moscow. Gyres forming Gyres forming When a cold and warm ocean current meet, the cold current sinks underneath the warm current and then up wells exchanging cold for warm energy. When a cold and warm ocean current meet, the cold current sinks underneath the warm current and then up wells exchanging cold for warm energy.

Ocean Currents Description Description Clockwise circulatory pattern in the North Atlantic e.g. warm North Equatorial current- Caribbean current-Gulf Stream/North Atlantic drift and returning as the cold Canaries current. Clockwise circulatory pattern in the North Atlantic e.g. warm North Equatorial current- Caribbean current-Gulf Stream/North Atlantic drift and returning as the cold Canaries current. Anti-clockwise pattern in the South Atlantic- warm Brazilian current originating in tropical latitudes returning equator wards off the coasts of Namibia>Angola as the cold Benguela current. Anti-clockwise pattern in the South Atlantic- warm Brazilian current originating in tropical latitudes returning equator wards off the coasts of Namibia>Angola as the cold Benguela current. Explanation Explanation Relationship with surface winds, energy transferred by friction to the surface currents Relationship with surface winds, energy transferred by friction to the surface currents Vast areas of the Atlantic encourage the development of gyres. Vast areas of the Atlantic encourage the development of gyres. Density differences due to differential heating resulting in chilled water sinking to the ocean floor and spreading equator wards e.g. Labrador Current. Density differences due to differential heating resulting in chilled water sinking to the ocean floor and spreading equator wards e.g. Labrador Current. Effects of the continents, channelling currents in the Arctic N/S rather than E/W. Effects of the continents, channelling currents in the Arctic N/S rather than E/W.