Chapter 15 The Dynamic Ocean

Surface currents and deep water currents

2 main types of currents

Clockwise

Gyres spin ______ in the northern hemisphere

Counterclockwise

Gyres spin ______ in the southern hemisphere

• North Pacific

• South Pacific

• North Atlantic

• South Atlantic gyre

• Indian gyre

Main gyres on earth

Gyres/currents

_____ are important because climate is influenced by them

Ekman spiral

• Not a true spiral down movement

• Issue of layers of water and their movement

• 45 degrees for each layer

• Driven by wind

Upwelling

• Equatorial & coastal

• Cold, nutrient rich

• Increased biological productivity

Deep ocean circulation

• Driven by density differences, which is driven by T & S

• Deep-water mass named for location of formation

Coastal Zones

Wave anatomy

Erosional features of coastlines

• Wave-cut cliffs

• Platforms & marine terraces

• Sea arches & stacks

Shoreline erosional features

• Spits, bars, and tomobolos

• Barrier islands