Introduction to Ocean Circulation

These flashcards cover key concepts in ocean circulation, including definitions related to surface currents, gyres, and thermohaline circulation, which are critical for students understanding oceanography.

About __ of water in the ocean is involved in surface currents.

10%

The primary energy responsible for surface currents is __.

wind

The bottom current derives its energy from __ and density difference.

gravity

Surface currents form circular patterns known as __.

gyres

In the Northern Hemisphere, surface currents deflect to the __ of the wind direction due to the Coriolis effect.

right

The direction of Ekman transport is __ to the right and left of the wind direction in the northern and southern hemisphere, respectively.

90°

The four inter-connected currents associated with the North Atlantic gyre are the Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Current, __, and North Equatorial Current.

Canary Current

The __ is a cold-water eastern boundary current moving towards the equator along the west coasts of continents.

California Current

El Niño and La Niña result from changes in __ pressure regions across the Pacific.

high and low

The Sargasso Sea is bounded by ocean currents on all sides and is characterized by __ weather conditions and calm winds.

stable

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is driven by __ winds, causing the current to flow east.

westerly

The theory of the Ekman Spiral was developed by Swedish oceanographer __.

Vagn Walfrid Ekman

Upwelling is the transport of __ water from the deep ocean up to the surface.

nutrient-rich

Three types of currents in gyres are: western boundary currents (WBC), __, and transverse currents.

eastern boundary currents (EBC)

Water at the surface can be warmer and less saline especially where __ exceeds evaporation.

precipitation

Thermohaline circulation is driven by __ differences, which is largely a function of temperature and salinity.

density