1. Ocean Currents

2. Ocean Currents Surface currents Deep water currents
Upper 400 m of the ocean (10%)
Deep water currents
Thermohaline currents (90%)

3. Surface Currents Moves on or near the surface Controlled by 3 factors:
Air currents (WINDS)
Earth’s rotation (CORIOLIS EFFECT)
Location of continents

4. Major Surface Currents
General Circulation
Currents travel from the Equator to the poles
Coriolis Effect causes currents to curve to the right (N hemisphere)
Creates clockwise GYRES (circulation patterns)

5. The Sargasso Sea Calm, warm water
Pattern of winds and currents concentrates floating debris (garbage)

6. Deep Ocean Currents Affected by 2 factors
Temperature
(Thermo-)
Salinity or saltiness
(-haline)
Deep water is cold, dense and salty
Surface water is warmer, less dense, less salty
Move more slowly than surface currents

7. Effects on Weather & Climate
Gulf Stream Current
Carries warm water from the equator to Northern Europe
Keeps Northern Europe much warmer than it normally would be

8. Effects on Weather & Climate
Humbolt (Peru) Current
Cold water upwelling towards South America
Keeps S. America cooler than it normally would be

9. Effects on Weather & Climate
Local Winds
Sea breeze blows from Sea to Land during the day
Land breeze blows from Land to Sea during the night
Due to water’s high heat capacity