Ocean Currents
Surface Ocean Currents
Now that we've looked at air currents, we need to look at how these effect ocean currents. Surface currents are moving masses of water formed when wind pushes water forward. Just like the air currents are affected by the Coriolis force, ocean currents are affected, too. Since the Doldrums are calm, currents near the equator actually move parallel to it. This forms circular systems of surface currents called gyres. These gyres move clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. As these gyres circulate, fragments are formed called eddies.
The circulating water pulls cold water towards the equator and warm water to the poles. This regulates Earth's climate.
There are five major ocean-wide gyres: the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean gyres. Gyres have a strong western boundary current and a weak eastern boundary current. One reason for the stronger western current is because the Coriolis effect has a stronger influence as you move up in latitude.
Now that we've looked at air currents, we need to look at how these effect ocean currents. Surface currents are moving masses of water formed when wind pushes water forward. Just like the air currents are affected by the Coriolis force, ocean currents are affected, too. Since the Doldrums are calm, currents near the equator actually move parallel to it. This forms circular systems of surface currents called gyres. These gyres move clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. As these gyres circulate, fragments are formed called eddies.
The circulating water pulls cold water towards the equator and warm water to the poles. This regulates Earth's climate.
There are five major ocean-wide gyres: the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean gyres. Gyres have a strong western boundary current and a weak eastern boundary current. One reason for the stronger western current is because the Coriolis effect has a stronger influence as you move up in latitude.
Deep Water Currents
Deep water currents are referred to as "thermohaline" currents. They are driven by density. They are necessary for upwelling as this is a vertical current. The cold, dense water sinks while warmer, less dense water rises bringing necessary nutrients up to the surface.