260 Ocean Currents & Convection

Learn about ocean currents, convection, and climate! Understand Earth's heat transfer.

Review Ocean Currents then complete the Wizer. OCEAN CURRENTS •A horizontal flow of water through the ocean•2 main types of currents – surface and deep•Surface currents – the movement of water near the surface caused by wind•Deep currents – the movement of water far below the ocean’s surface•The Sun drives convection currents within Earth’s oceans CORIOLIS EFFECT •Coriolis Effect – the apparent curvature of wind and ocean currents due to the rotation of Earth•Due to the Coriolis effect, ocean currents circulate clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere OCEAN CURRENT DIAGRAM •Ocean currents near the equator bring warm water to the areas in which they circulate (ex. Gulf Stream current)•Ocean currents near the poles bring cool water to the area in which they circulate (ex. California current) CLIMATE •Ocean currents help to regulate climate•Ocean currents distribute water that has been unevenly heated by the Sun’s radiation•Regions located near warm ocean currents tend to have warmer and more humid climates•Regions located near cold ocean currents tend to have cooler climates•Example – The United Kingdom is located near a warm ocean current and experiences a much warmer climate than areas of Eastern North America which are located near a cold ocean current. CONVECTION ON EARTH •Convection – the transfer of heat through the movement of liquids or gases•There 3 major places convection occurs on Earth•Oceans – warm and cold ocean currents distributing heat from the equator and poles•Atmosphere – warm air rising and cool air sinking which has an impact on weather patterns•Mantle – currents of magma that slowly drive the motion of tectonic plates Convection in Earth's Atmosphere occurs with gases in the air heats and cools much more quickly causes wind that can affect weather patterns Convection in Earth's Oceans occurs with with water in the ocean heats and cools much more slowly causes ocean currents that can affect climate areas close to coastlines Both provide a way to transfer heat have an impact on temperature, precipitation, etc. Explain the Sun's role in generating ocean currents. What are the three ways convection occurs on earth mantle, atmosphere, land oceans, atmosphere, mantle oceans, sea, crust What would the climate be like near a warm ocean current? warmer cooler Why is water off of the coast of California typically cooler than water in the Gulf of Mexico? it is located near a cold ocean current it is located near a warm ocean current it is near the north pole Describe the Coriolis effect and its impact on ocean currents.