Currents

What are currents?

A body of water flows that operate at the coastal zone

What do currents often cause?

Movements of sediment and energy

What are currents caused by?

Tidal changes (high to low), water density, Coriolis effect and wind (eg longshore drift)

What are onshore currents?

Movements of water towards the land from around the coast

What do onshore currents create waves to be like?

Higher and choppier

What are offshore currents?

Movements of water and sediment out of coastal environments and into deep currents

What do offshore currents cause waves to be like?

Smoother and clean with a uniform face

What are rip currents?

The movement out to sea away from the beach

What are longshore currents?

Movement along the beach

When are currents strongest?

During autumn and winter

There will always be a current if there is what?

Tides and wind

How can ocean currents change?

Due to seasonal temperature and salinity which influence depth of currents