Ocean Currents

MOVEMENT

Surface currents: Are usually caused by wind patterns & have a depth of several hundred meters(1000 feet). They can travel as fast as 100 Km per day.

Some surface currents are cold.Some surface currents are warm.

Temperature of the water depends on where the currents originate.

Below surface movementIn streams called currents. These streams or rivers flow deep in the ocean and can be thousands of miles long.

2 Major ocean currents affect the US

1. The California Current: Is a cold current from up North.

2. The Gulf Stream (Florida) Current. Very warm water flows away from the equator at about 5 mile per hour.

Gibraltar Current:Forms where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean at the Straight of Gibraltar.This salty water is more dense so it is heavier and sinks.

                              

GyresContinents deflect ocean currents to the north

and south so that closed circular systems, called gyres develop.

Upwelling

The upward motion of ocean water. Upwelling waters originate from the bottom of the ocean and thus are cold.

Upwelling waters are rich in nutrients, which

support abundant populations of marine life.