Currents and Climate By Lindsey Harnack & Reid Harm

Currents A current is a large stream of moving water that flows through the oceans. A current is a large stream of moving water that flows through the oceans. Currents carry water great distances and some currents move water at the surface of the ocean, while others move the deep water. Currents carry water great distances and some currents move water at the surface of the ocean, while others move the deep water. Currents move the Sun’s energy from the equator to the poles. Currents move the Sun’s energy from the equator to the poles. They also move cold water from the poles towards the equator. They also move cold water from the poles towards the equator. This moderates the climate of our planet. This moderates the climate of our planet.

One Way to Explore Currents Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl proved his theory that ocean currents influenced human migration by using a raft that was powered only by wind and ocean currents. Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl proved his theory that ocean currents influenced human migration by using a raft that was powered only by wind and ocean currents. He showed that Polynesia could have been settled from people migrating from South America. He showed that Polynesia could have been settled from people migrating from South America.

The wind mainly drives surface currents, which affects water to the depth of several hundred meters. The wind mainly drives surface currents, which affects water to the depth of several hundred meters. If Earth were not rotating, winds and currents would only flow in straight lines to the north and south poles. If Earth were not rotating, winds and currents would only flow in straight lines to the north and south poles. This Coriolis effect causes the winds to curve. This Coriolis effect causes the winds to curve. Surface Currents

Coriolis Effect The Earth’s rotation causes the winds and currents to curve in relation to Earth’s surface. The Earth’s rotation causes the winds and currents to curve in relation to Earth’s surface. In the northern hemisphere the Coriolis effect causes the currents to curve to the right. In the northern hemisphere the Coriolis effect causes the currents to curve to the right.

The Gulf Stream The largest and most powerful surface current is the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic Ocean. The largest and most powerful surface current is the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is caused by strong winds from the west. It is caused by strong winds from the west. The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean Sea, then northward along the coast of the United States. The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean Sea, then northward along the coast of the United States. This current keeps Northern Europe much warmer in the winter than it would otherwise be. This current keeps Northern Europe much warmer in the winter than it would otherwise be.

Ocean Current Map

How Surface Currents Affect Climate Climate is a pattern of temperature and precipitation, typical for an area over a long period of time. Climate is a pattern of temperature and precipitation, typical for an area over a long period of time. Currents affect the climate by moving cold and warm water around the globe. Currents affect the climate by moving cold and warm water around the globe. A surface current warms or cools the air above it, affecting the climate of the land near the coast. A surface current warms or cools the air above it, affecting the climate of the land near the coast.

Deep Currents Stream like movements of ocean water located far below the surface are called Deep currents are not controlled by wind. Stream like movements of ocean water located far below the surface are called deep currents. Deep currents are not controlled by wind. Deep currents form in parts of the ocean where water density increases. The density of the ocean is affected by temperature and salinity. Deep currents form in parts of the ocean where water density increases. The density of the ocean is affected by temperature and salinity. Deep currents are caused by changes in density.

Deep Currents, continued Differences in water density cause variations in the movement of deep currents. Formation and Movement of Deep Currents Differences in water density cause variations in the movement of deep currents.

Surface Currents and Climate Warm-water currents create warmer climates in coastal areas that would otherwise be much cooler.Warm-Water Currents and Climate Warm-water currents create warmer climates in coastal areas that would otherwise be much cooler.

Surface Currents and Climate, continued Cold-water currents keep climates along a coast cooler than the inland climate year- round. Cold-Water Currents and Climate Cold-water currents keep climates along a coast cooler than the inland climate year- round.

Surface Currents and Climate, continued is the movement of deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water to the surface of the ocean. Upwelling is the movement of deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water to the surface of the ocean. The nutrients that are brought to the surface support the growth of plankton. Plankton support larger organisms, such as fish and seabirds. The nutrients that are brought to the surface support the growth of plankton. Plankton support larger organisms, such as fish and seabirds. Upwelling is shown on the next slide. Upwelling is shown on the next slide.

Nature’s Climate Change El Nino is an abnormal climate event that occurs every two to seven years in the Pacific Ocean. El Nino is an abnormal climate event that occurs every two to seven years in the Pacific Ocean. It begins when an unusual pattern of winds form over the western Pacific. It begins when an unusual pattern of winds form over the western Pacific. This causes fast sheets of warm water to move eastward to the South American coast. This causes fast sheets of warm water to move eastward to the South American coast. It can last one to two years. It can last one to two years. Last one was from mid 2009 to early Last one was from mid 2009 to early 2010.

El Niño - is the warming of water in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño - is the warming of water in the Pacific Ocean. Rain and flooding along the Pacific coast Rain and flooding along the Pacific coast Warm water disrupts food chain of fish, birds, and sea mammals Warm water disrupts food chain of fish, birds, and sea mammals Tornadoes and thunderstorms in southern US Tornadoes and thunderstorms in southern US Fewer than normal hurricanes in the Atlantic Fewer than normal hurricanes in the Atlantic

La Niña - is the cooling of water in the Pacific Ocean. La Niña - is the cooling of water in the Pacific Ocean. Snow and rain on the west coast Snow and rain on the west coast Unusually cold weather in Alaska Unusually cold weather in Alaska Unusually warm weather in the rest of the USA Unusually warm weather in the rest of the USA Drought in the southwest Drought in the southwest Higher than normal number of hurricanes in the Atlantic Higher than normal number of hurricanes in the Atlantic

More El Niño is a change in the water temperature in the Pacific Ocean that produces a warm current. El Niño is a change in the water temperature in the Pacific Ocean that produces a warm current. El Niño alters weather patterns enough to cause disasters, including flash floods, mudslides, and droughts. El Niño also prevents upwelling off the coast of South America. Effects of El Niño El Niño alters weather patterns enough to cause disasters, including flash floods, mudslides, and droughts. El Niño also prevents upwelling off the coast of South America.

El Nino Impact (Western Coast of South America) El Nino can have disastrous consequences. El Nino can have disastrous consequences. Warm surface water prevents upwelling off of the western coast of South America. Warm surface water prevents upwelling off of the western coast of South America. Without nutrients brought up by upwelling, fish die or go somewhere else to find food. Without nutrients brought up by upwelling, fish die or go somewhere else to find food. Sea birds have no fish to eat, and also must leave the area or die. Sea birds have no fish to eat, and also must leave the area or die.

El Nino Effects on Us! El Nino causes shifts in weather patterns around the world, bringing severe conditions to different areas. El Nino causes shifts in weather patterns around the world, bringing severe conditions to different areas. El Nino caused an unusually warm winter in northeastern U.S. El Nino caused an unusually warm winter in northeastern U.S. It also brought heavy rains, flooding, and mud slides in California. It also brought heavy rains, flooding, and mud slides in California. It also brought a string of deadly tornadoes in Florida. It also brought a string of deadly tornadoes in Florida.

Predicting El Niño Learning as much as possible about El Niño is important because of its effects on organisms and land. Studying and Predicting El Niño Learning as much as possible about El Niño is important because of its effects on organisms and land. To study El Niño, scientist use a network of buoys located along the equator. The buoys collect data about surface temperature, air temperature, currents, and wind. To study El Niño, scientist use a network of buoys located along the equator. The buoys collect data about surface temperature, air temperature, currents, and wind.

Forecasting El Nino Scientist don’t fully understand the conditions that create El Nino Scientist don’t fully understand the conditions that create El Nino They can predict its occurrence by using computer models of the world climate They can predict its occurrence by using computer models of the world climate Knowing when El Nino will strike, officials will give notice and can plan for unusual weather patterns. Knowing when El Nino will strike, officials will give notice and can plan for unusual weather patterns.

El Nino (2006 hurricane season) Why hasn’t there been many hurricanes in the 2006 hurricane season? Why hasn’t there been many hurricanes in the 2006 hurricane season? The seasonal activity was lower than expected because of the rapid development of El Nino. The seasonal activity was lower than expected because of the rapid development of El Nino. This year there were only 9 named storms, 5 became hurricanes, and 2 became major hurricanes in Category 3 or higher. This year there were only 9 named storms, 5 became hurricanes, and 2 became major hurricanes in Category 3 or higher was the most active season on record, with 28 named storms, of which 15 became hurricanes was the most active season on record, with 28 named storms, of which 15 became hurricanes. Five of the seven major storms hit the US, including Katrina. Five of the seven major storms hit the US, including Katrina.