I can identify the two types of ocean currents i can identify the four forces that influence ocean currents. Display the ocean conveyor belt cartoon from the resource carousel. The tidal current floods and then ebbs with slack waters in between. Okeanos is a body of water that composes much of a planets hydrosphere. The two basic types of currents surface and deepwater currents help define the character and flow of ocean waters across the planet.
Scientists study currents to learn more about how the ocean works mechanically, as well as using the speed and location of currents as a way to measure changes in large bodies of water. Currents are caused by water flowing in the ocean downhill like a river. There are two types of gyres which are the flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere oceans and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere. Ocean currents and climate home department of earth. These waters are the upper 400 meters of the ocean. Dynamics of ocean currents california digital library. The current s direction and speed depend on the shoreline and the ocean floor. There are two types of currents, surface currents and deep water currents, that dictate how and where water will move. An ocean current is a regular movement of large amounts of water along defined paths. These waters make up about 10% of all the water in the ocean. This chapter describes the major types of ocean currents. Ocean currents definition of ocean currents by the free. Approximately two 40minute classes curriculum connection province and course. Both, however, tend to moderate the temperature more than inland.
Read this article to learn about the ocean currents. Surface currents consist of the first 1,300 feet of water and contain about 10% of the total volume of water in the oceans. No means are available fox determining absolute motion, but this is of no concern, because theobserved largescale motion of the atmosphere and the sea can be adequately described by. They can flow for thousands of miles and are found in all the major oceans of the world.
As such, oceanographers and marine biologists are interested in the causes, effects, and patterns of ocean currents. An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of sea water generated by a number of forces acting upon the water, including wind, the coriolis effect, breaking waves, cabbeling, and temperature and salinity differences. Whichever way the wind blows, the current moves the same way. Ocean currents only affect things living in the ocean. A gyres and the gulf stream b trade winds and westerlies c deep currents and conveyor belt d surface 245951. Water currents are a crucial abiotic factor or issue that considerably influences copy of marine organisms, marine ecosystems we tend to all inhabit. Didnt read two major kinds of currents define the planets oceans. Ocean currents houston independent school district. An ocean current is a continuous movement of ocean water from one place to another. Mapping ocean currents national geographic society.
Pdf today, ocean currents are also gaining importance due to the possibility of harnessing alternative energy. Ocean currents and mixing by winds and waves can transport and redistribute heat to deeper ocean. Global ocean currents map, surface current analysis real time. Besides the contribution of a sloping free sea surface, the first term on the right of eq. Generally speaking, the fact of the lesson is that warmer ocean currents produce warmer weather, while cooler ocean currents have the opposite effect. Ocean currents that occur at 328 feet 100 meters deep or above usually are classified as surface currents. They represent a regular volume of water in a definite path and direction.
The surface circulation of the worlds oceans is hemisphere and 90 toward the. Individual beaches may have rip currents that are dangerous to swimmers. Waves are formed due to friction between wind and surface water layer. It is advisable for the aspirants to refer to a hard copy of physical geography savindra singh, aspirants can buy from a local bookstore or it is easily bought from an online platform. Directions of ocean currents the direction is influenced by many different factors. Increased ocean temperatures will cause water to expand which would raise current sea levelsincreased ocean water temperatures would increase the severity of hurricanes and typhoons. Water at depth flows the same way as water at the surface. An overview of ocean currents and how they circulate. Depth contours, shoreline configurations, and interactions with other currents influence a current s direction and. Broadcast topics this broadcast will link into discussions on ocean circulation, global water. Notes ocean currents free download as powerpoint presentation.
Surface currents, which include coastal currents and surface ocean currents, are driven primarily by winds. They will compare how ocean currents affect the climate of two different coastal locations. Ocean currents introduction and map activity by geoearth. In section 1 it was noted that ocean currents can affect regional climate and the global surface distribution of temperature and salinity. Horizontal currents arise mainly due to friction between wind and water. Jul 28, 2016 in our geography notes on the hydrosphere, we have seen the major movements of the ocean water. Well, you might have heard so many names like kuroshio current, oyashio current, peru current etc. Ocean currents national oceanic and atmospheric administration. They are primarily driven by winds, resulting in horizontal and vertical movement.
Finally, we will look at different ways in which we can measure ocean currents. In our geography notes on the hydrosphere, we have seen the major movements of the ocean water. Ocean currents synonyms, ocean currents pronunciation, ocean currents translation, english dictionary definition of ocean currents. Having covered the fundamentals, we shall see in this post, a superfast way to learn the details of ocean currents. Ocean currents flow for great distances, and together, create the global conveyor belt which plays a dominant role in determining the climate of many of. Students should be taking no tes as they watch the video. Plunging waves break violently against the shore, leaving an airfilled tube, or channel, between the crest and foot of the wave. Gyres of ocean currents in each of the major oceans. Ocean currents are similar to winds in the atmosphere in that they transfer. Ask students what types of things are carried around the planet by ocean currents. Of all the movements in the oceanic water, ocean currents are the most important. Ocean currents 433 system is moving through space at an unknown speed. Both, however, tend to moderate the temperature more than inland locations do, though.
Animation of circulation around ice shelves of antarctica. The pdf is compiled by clearias, so the credit goes to them. At the surface the wind, earth rotation, density gradients, gravity and pressure gradients determine the currents. The ocean in motion circulation in this program, students will learn about the driving forces responsible for ocean circulation. No means are available fox determining absolute motion, but this is of no concern, because theobserved largescale motion of the atmosphere and the sea can be adequately described by means of the simple equations if the. Spilling waves occur on gradually sloping ocean bottoms. Ocean currents are massive currents that are influenced by a variety of different forces that act to propel the water both on the surface and in deep ocean waters. We will show a video clip showing sea level height and describe its connection to ocean circulation. Jun 06, 2017 just to add in another factor, there are two types of currents, surface currents, and deepwater currents. Learning objectives students will identify the primary causes for ocean currents and waves. The module focuses on the driving mechanisms for currents, along with influences that modify existing currents.
An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of sea water generated by a number of. Data marker buoys drift with ocean currents temperatures. Circulation of ocean currents around the western antarctic ice shelves. Many marine species rely on these currents to move them from one. May 08, 2020 here in this article we will provide you the free savinder singh physical geography pdf, interested candidates can download from the below link. Ocean current simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Covers types of currents surface and deep and the role of ocean currents and the planet.
It also provides basic information about ocean currents,wave and tides. These waters move around the ocean basins by density. Engineering ocean currents is a fun and interactive activity that is designed to enhance. Warm and cold surface currents redistribute the suns heat more evenly around the earth.
On earth, an ocean is one of the major conventional divisions of the world ocean. Ocean currents types, circulation patterns, theories. A second factor that drives ocean currents is wind. What are the different ocean currents that carry warm water give at least three examples. Surface currents are mostly caused by the w ind because it creates friction as it moves over the water. Ocean currents never change, but are persistent features of the ocean.
The ocean conveyor belt is caused by differences in water temperature and salinity. In this model, high salinity water cools and sinks in the north atlantic, and deep water returns to the surface in the indian and pacific oceans through upwelling. These ocean currents, which are massive currents that are influenced by a variety of different forces that act to propel the water both on the surface and in deep ocean waters. Western boundary currents are warm, deep, narrow, and fast flowing currents that form on the west side of ocean basins due to western intensification. Dynamics of ocean currents 433 system is moving through space at an unknown speed. May 23, 2019 today wer sharing notes on ocean currents one of the most important topics of geography for ssc. Upon completion of video, students should begin to answer questions provided on the ocean currents worksheet. Ocean currents, waves and tides types and causes with. Ocean current is the directed movement of the ocean water by virtue of the forces like wind, earths rotation, gravitation of the moon etc. Ocean currents, abiotic features of the environment, are continuous and directed movements of ocean water.
Have students begin watching ocean currents internet video lesson, 10 minutes. Also known as thermohaline circulation, the conveyor belt is a. Ocean currents are also very important in the dispersal of many life forms. An ebook reader can be a software application for use on a computer such as microsofts free reader application, or a booksized. Ocean currents shortcut method by to learn faster clear ias. Rip currents are narrow channels of water that form when waves of different intensities break on the shoreline and generate currents that try to keep the water level even by pulling the large amount of water brought to shore by the waves back into the ocean. Waves, tides and currents foldable with images ocean. Students will explain the cause of the coriolis effect, and how this effect influences ocean currents. Explain to students that this is a depiction of ocean currents called the ocean conveyor belt. Aug 24, 2017 ocean current is the general movement of a mass of water in a fairly defined direction over great direction ocean currents sometimes called as ocean rivers ocean currents based on temperature currents are two types 1. The gulf stream, a warm ocean current, has a different effect on the climate of new york city and the surrounding coastal areas.
In addition, ocean currents and atmospheric circulation influence one another. These currents are on the oceans surface and in its depths, flowing both locally and globally. Ocean currents are influenced by two types of forces namely. When you learn about the ocean surface current you will know about gyres.
Some of the ocean currents move quickly, while others move more slowly. Depth contours, shoreline configurations, and interactions with other currents influence a currents direction and strength. Winds are able to move the top 400 meters of the ocean creating surface ocean currents. Ocean currents are created by wind, water temperature, salt content, and the gravity of the moon. Jan 22, 2017 it consists of 37 pdf slides that are colorful. Ocean currents, ocean floor, ocean in a bottle craft, and ocean lapbook layers of learning map the ocean floor, identifying the major mountain ranges and rifts, learn about ocean currents and color a map of the prevailing currents on earth, make an ocean in a bottle craft and then round it out with an ocean. It gives information related to different types of ocean current in detail and causes of ocean currents. Today were going to learn about ocean currents slide 3 1. Distribute the student handout before you begin for students to take notes on key information. At any particular location, the high and low tides. The ocean current is a general movement of a mass of water in a fairly defined direction over great distances.
Winds drive currents that are at or near the ocean s surface. The currents direction and speed depend on the shoreline and the ocean floor. Ocean currents and mixing by winds and waves can transport and redistribute heat to deeper ocean layers. Surface ocean currents surface ocean currents are the movement of water on or near the surface of oceans. Tides are, in fact, the most important of all the oceanic movements. Plunging waves are formed when waves approach a shore over a steeply sloped bottom. The oceans primary production is intimately connected to the movement of currents, and impacts most living things in the ocean. Pictures and diagrams are included that will greatly enhance your explanation to your students.
World water day march 22 the movements that occur in oceans are categorized as. It is best seen at an inlet connecting the ocean with a barrier sound. Waves, currents and tides are of vital significance among various types of oceanic movements. Chapter iv major types of ocean currents sciencedirect. Tidal currents are the only type of currents that change in a very regular pattern and can be predicted for future dates. Ocean current, stream made up of horizontal and vertical components of the circulation system of ocean waters that is produced by. Thermohaline currents are warm salty cold fresh water ocean currents. As it turns out, understanding the ocean circulation is impossible without knowledge of geographical details. Pdf ocean currents types and causes of currents hafez. Students will explain how and why ocean currents vary with increasing latitude. In this section the focus is on surface currents and the threedimensional global ocean circulation. Ocean water is on the move, affecting your climate, your local ecosystem, and the seafood that you eat. The great ocean conveyor belt is the name for a model of the large system of ocean currents that affects weather and climate by circulating thermal energy around earth.
These currents are generally measured in meters per second or in knots 1 knot 1. Page1 reading activity to introduce students to the basics of ocean currents. Ocean currents are similar to winds in the atmosphere in that they transfer significant amounts of heat from earths equatorial. Youre likely familiar with coastal currents if youve ever gone to the beach. This module discusses the origin of ocean currents in both the open ocean and in coastal areas.
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