Science surface ocean currents

Air Pressure

• The force of air pushing down on Earth’s surface. Areas with high air pressure have sinking air, while areas with low air pressure have rising air.
  
  

Angle of Insolation:

The angle at which sunlight hits Earth’s surface. A higher angle means more direct sunlight and warmer temperatures, while a lower angle means less direct sunlight and cooler temperatures.

Coriolis Effect:

The apparent bending of moving air and water caused by Earth’s rotation. In the Northern Hemisphere, movement curves to the right, and in the Southern Hemisphere, it curves to the left.

Garbage Patch:

A large area of ocean where trash, especially plastic, collects due to ocean currents and gyres.

Global Winds

• Large-scale wind patterns that blow steadily over long distances. Global winds are caused by unequal heating of Earth’s surface and the planet’s rotation.
  
  

Gulf Stream:

 A warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico along the eastern coast of the United States and across the Atlantic Ocean, helping keep Europe warmer.

Gyre

•  A large circular system of ocean currents that moves around an ocean basin.
  
  

Microplastics

: Very small pieces of plastic, often less than 5 millimeters long, that come from broken-down plastic waste or products like clothing and cosmetics.

Ocean current

A large, continuous movement of ocean water that flows in a specific direction. Ocean currents help move heat and nutrients around the Earth.

Surface currents

Ocean currents that move water near the surface of the ocean. These currents are mostly driven by wind.

Wind

The movement of air from areas of high air pressure to areas of low air pressure.