Marine Science CH 9

Sea Surface Temp (SST)

variable temperatures in the sea

Coriolis Effect

the effect of Earths rotation on the direction of winds and currents

Coriolis Effect in Northern Hemisphere?

Causes objects to deflect to the right

Coriolis Effect in Souther Hemisphere?

Causes objects to deflect to the left

Thermohaline Current (conveyor belt)

Deep ocean current caused by differences in temperature and salinity between large masesses of ocean water

Gulf Stream

Current that warms the USA’s east coast and flows north

Prevailing winds

Winds that blow in the same direction over large areas of Earth

Prevailing winds can run…..

Easterly and Westerly

Tradewinds (equatorial)

surface winds in the tropics that blow from east to west between the equator and approximately 30 degrees latitude in both hems

Easterlies

winds that blow E → W

Westerlies

winds that blow W → E

El Nino

warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific

Deflection

a change of course or direction of currents caused by landmasses or tides

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a liquid or gas

What creates currents?

Water temp, wind, Coriolis effect, deflection, convection 

Deep Currents 

Currents that form when salinity increases water density (below 400m)

Surface currents

Currents that travel from the equator are warm currents (fast moving particles above 400m)

Troposphere

Top layer of the Earth's atmosphere, 7.5 miles, about 40,000 ft.

Isolines

Lines drawn on maps that separate data.

Isotherms

Lines on a map that show different areas of temperature.

Gyres

Circular flow of water caused by pushing of winds; in the N. Hemisphere, they move clockwise; in the S. Hemisphere, counterclockwise.

Coriolis Effect

The effect that causes currents to curve due to the rotation of the Earth.

Convection Currents

Currents that move within the oceans caused by temperature differences that create density variations.

Evaporation

Change from liquid to gas/vapor water, which can cause currents by creating clouds, storms, and winds that affect surface and deep currents.

Cold Currents

Currents that move from the poles.

Global Winds

winds that control surface currents

Continental Deflections

Changes in the direction of currents caused by the presence of continents.

Warm Water Movement during El Nino

Warm water on the coast of Asia moves east into the Pacific Ocean.

Effects of currents on marine animals?

Movement speeds up, helping them migrate faster and carrying nutrients.

Dependence of Europe on Gulf Stream Currents?

The Gulf Stream brings heat to Europe.

Cold seawater is _____ _____ than warm seawater.

more dense

What does not occur in the troposphere?

Planes can't fly in it because of the density of molecules.

What affects currents?

Water temperature, Coriolis effect, and winds; NOT ANIMALS.

The curved parts of global currents are caused by

the rotation of the Earth (Coriolis effect is affected by Earth's rotation).