Ocean Circulation Ch.

16.1

Ag Earth Science Chapter

15.2

ocean current
Mass of ocean water
that flows from one
place to another

surface current
Movement of water
that flows horizontally
in the upper part of the
oceans surface

gyre
A large circular
surface current pattern
found in each ocean

Coriolis effect
The apparent
deflective force of
earths rotation on all
free-moving objects,
including the
atmosphere and
oceans; Deflection is to
the right in the
Northern Hemisphere
and to the left in the
Southern Hemisphere.

upwelling
The rising of cold
water from deeper
layers to replace
warmer surface water
that has been moved.

density current
Current of ocean
water that results from
density differences
among water masses

Surface Circulation
Ocean Currents masses of
ocean water that flow from
one place to another.

Surface Currents
movements of water that
flow horizontally in the
upper part of the oceans
surface.
Surface currents develop
from friction between the
ocean and the wind that
blows across its surface.

Surface Circulation
Gyres Huge circularmoving current systems
that dominate the surfaces
of the oceans
Coriolis Effect the
deflection of currents away
from their original course
as a result of the Earths
rotation.
Because of the earths
rotation, currents are
deflected to right in the
Northern Hemisphere and
to the left in the Southern
Hemisphere.

Surface Circulation
When currents from lowlatitude regions move into
higher-latitudes, they
transfer heat from warmer
to cooler areas of Earth.
As cold water currents
travel toward the equator,
they help moderate the
warm temperatures of
adjacent land areas.

Surface Circulation
Upwelling the rising
of cold water from
deeper layers to
replace warmer
surface water.
Upwelling brings
greater concentrations
of dissolved nutrients,
such as nitrates and
phosphates, to the
ocean surface.

Deep-Ocean Circulation
Density Currents vertical
currents of water that result
from density differences
among water masses.
Cold, salty water is more
dense than warmer water, so
it drops down vertically into
the depths of the ocean and is
replaced by less dense water.
Evaporation of ocean water in
warm surface areas also can
increase salinity (density) and
causes the denser water to
drop and be replaced by less
dense water.

Conveyor Belt Model

Simplified model of ocean
circulation.
Travels from Atlantic Ocean
through Indian and Pacific
Oceans and back again.
Warm water from oceans
upper layers moves to poles
When it reaches the poles,
temperature decreases and
salinity increases.
Water sinks and moves
towards the equator from the
poles.