Ocean Currents

6th Grade Earth Science

Sutton Middle School

Fill in
the
blanks
!

Land has a lower specific heat!

Land heats up _______ than water, but it also cools

off more __________.
Oceans heat _______, hold heat well, and give off
heat slowly.

In winter, the ocean acts like a heater because it keeps the

coastal climate ___________
In summer, the ocean acts like an _______________as
cooler ocean air moves inland through convection currents.
Land near the ocean is often _______ in winter and
cooler in the________.
8

Land has a lower specific heat!

Land heats up faster than water, but it also cools
off more quickly.
Oceans heat slowly, hold heat well, and give off
heat slowly.

In winter, the ocean acts like a heater to faster cooling

land.
In summer, the ocean acts like an air conditioner as
cooler ocean air moves inland through convection
currents.
Land near the ocean is often warmer in winter and
cooler in summer.
8

Ocean Currents

Mass movement or flow of

ocean water
River within the ocean
Two types
Surface and Deep

Surface Currents
Link

Horizontal, stream-like movements

of water that occur at or near the
surface of the ocean
Can reach depths of several
hundred meters
Example: Gyres

Surface Currents

Controlled by three

factors
Global winds
Coriolis Effect
Continental Deflections

Surface Currents
Global Winds
Cause surface currents to flow in
the direction the wind is blowing
EX: Jet Stream
Coriolis Effect Link
The apparent curving of moving
objects due to the Earths rotation

Surface Currents
Coriolis Effect
Northern Hemisphere = clockwise
Southern Hemisphere = counter
clockwise
Continental Deflections
Shape of continents change the
direction of current flow

Deep Currents

Stream like movement of ocean

water far below the surface
Caused by
Changes in density

Change in temperature
Change in salinity

What Effects Deep

Currents?

Change in temperature
Decreasing the temperature
of water increases density
Change in salinity
Increasing the salinity of
water increases density

Currents and climate

Warm water currents

Bring warm water to
colder regions

Currents and climate

Cold water currents

Bring cold water to
warmer regions

Why are Ocean Currents

Important?
Theymaketheaveragetemperaturesofclimatesmore

similar
Thisisonalargescale
Oceanairholdsalotofwatervaporsothereis
morerainatthecoast
Currentsredistributeheatthroughouttheglobe

Example:GulfStreambringswarmairintoEngland,
makingitwarmer

Question 1

What is a surface
current and what
causes them?

Answer

Surface currents move

water horizontally
parallel to the Earths
surface
They are powered by wind

Question 2

What is the Coriolis

Effect?

Answer

The Coriolis effect is

the shifting of winds

and surface currents
caused by Earths
rotation.

Question 3

What is upwelling?

Answer

Upwelling is a vertical
circulation in the
ocean that brings
deep, cold water to
the ocean surface.