1. Ocean Currents A Topic in Physical Oceanography

2. Ocean currents Masses of moving water Transport plankton, fish, heat, momentum, and chemicals such as salts, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Can be shallow or deep, slow or fast, narrow or wide

3. Are affected by the basin shape ( the shape of the ocean floor) Are affected by the basin shape ( the shape of the ocean floor) Affect marine operations( navigation, search and rescue at sea), dispersal of pollutants, & weather Affect marine operations( navigation, search and rescue at sea), dispersal of pollutants, & weather Are either surface or deep water currents Are either surface or deep water currents

4. What are surface currents? Moving water in the top layer of the ocean which extends 400 feet down. Moving water in the top layer of the ocean which extends 400 feet down.

5. How surface currents form… Prevailing winds develop waves and push them in one predominant direction forming surface currents Prevailing winds develop waves and push them in one predominant direction forming surface currents (Prevailing winds are winds that blow predominantly from 1 direction. Describe our prevailing winds.) (Prevailing winds are winds that blow predominantly from 1 direction. Describe our prevailing winds.)

6. The Coriolis Effect-Earth’s rotation The Coriolis Effect curls surface currents into giant clockwise whirlpools in the Northern Hemisphere The Coriolis Effect curls surface currents into giant clockwise whirlpools in the Northern Hemisphere Currents flow counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere for the same reason. Currents flow counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere for the same reason. Currents moving north or south in the northern hemisphere are deflected to the right by the Coriolis force. Currents moving north or south in the northern hemisphere are deflected to the right by the Coriolis force. Circling currents are called gyres and can be thousands of miles in diameter. Circling currents are called gyres and can be thousands of miles in diameter. Coriolis effect Coriolis effect Coriolis effect Coriolis effect

7. Surface Currents can create eddies, swirling loops of water, as they flow. These are temporary and dissipate can create eddies, swirling loops of water, as they flow. These are temporary and dissipateeddies affect upwelling in many places ( wind causing cool, nutrient dense water to move upward) – important for sea life! affect upwelling in many places ( wind causing cool, nutrient dense water to move upward) – important for sea life!upwelling

8. Surface currents and Climate Surface currents carry heat from place to place This affects regional climates. Surface currents carry heat from place to place This affects regional climates. The Sun warms water at the equator more than it does at the high latitude polar regions. Heat travels in surface currents to higher latitudes. The Sun warms water at the equator more than it does at the high latitude polar regions. Heat travels in surface currents to higher latitudes.Sun polar regions.latitudesSun polar regions.latitudes A current that brings warmth to a high latitude region makes that region’s climate less chilly. A current that brings warmth to a high latitude region makes that region’s climate less chilly.

9. Large and Famous Surface Current The Gulf Stream, a surface current in the North Atlantic, carries 4500 times more water than the Mississippi River. Each second, ninety million cubic meters of water is carried past Chesapeake Bay (US) in the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream, a surface current in the North Atlantic, carries 4500 times more water than the Mississippi River. Each second, ninety million cubic meters of water is carried past Chesapeake Bay (US) in the Gulf Stream.Gulf StreamGulf Stream

10. The Gulf Stream

11. Currents whose movements are determined by coastlines Boundary Currents

12. Prevailing winds and current flow http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_scie nce/terc/content/visualizations/es2401/es2 401page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_scie nce/terc/content/visualizations/es2401/es2 401page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

13. Write one fact that reviews what you learned in this presentation. Write one fact that reviews what you learned in this presentation. Write one fact that is new. Write one fact that is new. Write something you like to learn about the oceans. Write something you like to learn about the oceans. Expand your knowledge…While viewing the videoclip ( 2:49)

14. Ocean currents