Transcript How do ocean currents distribute heat around the globe and interact

Ocean Currents
Ocean water moves in currents
What causes ocean currents?
How do ocean currents distribute
heat around the globe and interact
with climate and weather?
Surface currents are caused by
strong winds blowing over the
ocean.
They extend 300-500 feet down
Cover large areas of ocean
They curve with the rotation of
Earth (coriolis effect.mp4)
They carry warm water away from
equator and cool water away from
the poles
They affect Earth’s temperatures
Pacific Gyre Pollution Clip
Pacific Garbage DumpNightline.mp4
Deep Currents are caused by
differences in the density of the
water.
Downwelling is water
movement from
the surface down.
This movement
carries oxygen
from the surface
to animals deeper
in the ocean.
Salinity and
temperature
Upwelling
Upwelling
moves water
down deep up
to the surface.
This movement
brings up
nutrients to the
animals at the
surface
Climate and Weather
Currents help distribute heat
around the globe by moving
warm and cold water around.
The moving water changes the
temperature of the air above
it.
Beware of El Nino!What is El
Nino.mp4
Answer the following:
What causes ocean currents?
How do ocean currents
distribute heat around the
globe and interact with climate
and weather?