Environmental Science - Surface Currents

Date: 12/19/2025

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.

How does the angle of insolation affect global air circulation?

The sun doesn’t heat the Earth properly. This causes the equator to be warmer and the poles to be colder. Warm air rises, and cold air sinks. At the equator, the warm air rises. When it hits the troposphere, it spreads out. When it reaches 30 degrees north and south, it’s cool enough to sink. This continues throughout the Earth.

What drives surface ocean currents?

The global wind patterns develop the Easterlies, Westerlies, and Trade Winds. These push the water on the surface of the ocean, causing surface ocean currents.

Explain the Coriolis Effect’s role in ocean circulation.

The equator spins faster than the poles, causing any water going out from the equator to move ahead, and any water going into the equator to stay behind. This causes gyres.

What is a gyre, and how is it formed?

It is a system of flowing ocean currents that is formed by the Coriolis Effect. The Coriolis Effect causes water to move in a rough circle throughout the ocean. There are 5 different gyres all throughout the ocean.

Describe the Gulf Stream’s impact on European climate.

It causes warm water to be brought to Europe. This transfers to the air and causes a warmer air temperature. For example, this is why it is possible for palm trees to grow in Ireland. (not that I’ve ever seen any)