Topic 7 - Ocean Circulation and El Niño

What helps blow the ocean currents?

the wind

Where do the Western Boundary Currents originate?

low latitude and high latitude, they originate near the equator and flow N and S, these are warm water currents

What helps blow the ocean currents?

the wind

Where do the Western Boundary Currents originate?

low latitude and high latitude, they originate near the equator and flow N and S, these are warm water currents

What do the western boundary currents do?

they bring warmer air and weather to the coasts

Where are the eastern boundary currents located ?

low latitude currents, they originate near the poles and flow N and S, these are cold water currents

What do the eastern boundary currents do?

these bring cooler air and weather to the coasts

Where are the N and S Equatorial currents located?

Flow west along the equator, western intensification occurs as the water meets land and either splits N or S, or piles up at the equator

What are the Equatorial counter currents?

form from the back flow under gravity of the equatorial currents, these flow eastward between the N and S equatorial currents

What are gyres?

circular flowing currents

How are gyres formed ?

formed by the western and eastern boundary currents, the equatorial currents and the other main currents that complete the circle

Gyres are powered by?

powered by the westerlies and the trade winds

In the northern hemisphere gyres flow ?

clock wise

in the southern hemisphere gyres flow?

counterclockwise

The great garbage dump of the pacific is formed by the?

North Pacific Gyre

The Great Garbage patch is located in what ocean?

the Pacific ocean (North Pacific)