Ocean Currents

Dive into ocean currents! Learn what drives them and how they work.

Write your name, grade, section Formation of Surface Currents Watch the video below and answer the questions: How does wind affect surface currents of water? The coriolis effect & the topography of the ocean floor (underwater hills & valleys) Other than wind, what are two other factors that affect surface currents? Friction between the wind and the surface water causes the water to move. Surface currents are... Usually warmer water. Deep ocean currents are... Usually colder water. How are surface currents and surface winds similar? They move in the same direction. What effect does temperature have on the movement of deep ocean currents? Cold water rises, warm water rises Warm water sits on top of cold water Warm water rises, cold water sinks Cold water sinks, warm water rises What effect does salinity have on the movement of deep ocean currents? Salty water is more dense and sinks. Freshwater is more dense and rises. Salty water is more dense and rises. The water in the ocean is constantly moving. On the surface, we see water moving in the form of waves. Below the surface of the ocean, the movement of water is called deep ocean currents.Ocean waves are caused by wind moving across the surface. Wind transfers energy to the wind, which causes waves. The two types of currents are: surface currents and deep currents. Ocean currents are also influenced by the coriolis effect.Deep ocean currents are caused by a number of things including differences in temperature, salinity, and density. Evaporation increases salinity in the ocean. Precipitation decreases salinity in the ocean.Surface winds and surface currents move in similar directions Differences in densities cause both winds and currents.