Transcript Document
DEEP WATER CURRENTS: • Involve 90% of the oceans water • Deep water temperature of 3°C (37.4°F) • Currents are more dense, have a higher salinity composition and are colder than surface currents • Change in density of ocean water at surface causes currents • More dense water sinks • As deep waters are warmed they rise to the surface • This cycle of ocean water circulation from the surface to the deep ocean and back to the surface again is called Ocean Conveyor Belt Cycling GULF STREAM • One of the important surface currents is the Gulf Stream • Strong and swift • Originates at tip of Florida and flows along Eastern US coastline and New Foundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean • Influences the climate along its path • Both northern and western Europe would have a much cooler climate if it were not for the effect of the Gulf Stream • This current is part of the North Atlantic Gyre Surface Currents • Current direction is due to the Coriolis Effect and temperature of the areas of the currents • Surface currents are wind driven • Surface currents are usually found where gyres are formed • These currents involve about 10% of all water in the ocean and go to the depth of 0.4 km (1/4 mile) Ocean Currents • Oceans have slower, much longer lasting effect on climate than winds • Ocean currents are basically driven by the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Winds move the surface layer of the ocean • The sun also changes the density of the surface water by changing its temperature and/or its salinity. Cool saltier water, due to evaporation sinks. • There are 2 types of ocean currents: surface and Deep water currents. Together they create the Ocean Conveyor Belt. • This combination of currents make climates more similar across the globe. • Scientists believe that currents are the reason for ending the ice age