6.2 Density-Driven Ocean Circulation
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24 Terms
Which way do subtropical gyres in the northern and southern hemispheres flow? What makes them flow this way?
The trade winds make the equatorial currents flow east to west. Then the currents run into land and are deflected by Coriolis. The western boundary current in the N Hemi flows north because the equatorial current is deflected to the right. The western boundary current in the S Hemi flows south because the equatorial current is deflected to the left. Then the westerlies blow the northern or southern boundary current east. Coriolis then deflects these currents right in the N Hemi and left in the S Hemi. This makes the eastern boundary current in the N Hemi flow south, and the eastern boundary current in the S Hemi flow north. Thus, the subtropical gyres flow clockwise in the N Hemi and counterclockwise in the S Hemi.
Where are the most “intense” currents located?
On the western side of ocean basins.
Why is there a hump in the North Atlantic sea surface that is offset to the western side of the basin?
Coriolis (Earth’s rotation)
Is the speed of a current on the western side of a hump in the North Atlantic sea surface offset to the western side of an ocean basin faster or slower on the eastern side?
Faster
When water flows down the western slope of a hump in the North Atlantic sea surface that is offset to the western side of an ocean basin, will it be deflected to the right or left, and will it flow north or south?
It’ll be deflected right and flow north.
Is the speed of a current on the western side of a hump in the South Atlantic sea surface offset to the western side of an ocean basin faster or slower on the eastern side?
Faster
When water flows down the western slope of a hump in the South Atlantic sea surface that is offset to the western side of an ocean basin, will it be deflected to the right or left, and will it flow north or south?
It’ll be deflected left and flow south.
What is the most intense current in the North Pacific?
The Kuroshio Current
What is the name of the most intense current in the North Atlantic?
The Gulf Stream
What 4 currents do all subtropical gyres have?
Equatorial, western boundary, northern or southern boundary (depending on the hemi), and eastern boundary current.
What drives thermohaline circulation?
Density
What drives ocean circulation on the surface?
Wind
What is the name of the eastern boundary current in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre?
The California Current
When you increase the temperature of liquid water, does it increase or decrease the density of the water? When you increase the salinity of liquid water, does it increase or decrease the density of the water?
Increasing the temp decreases the density. Increasing the salinity increases the density.
What is the halocline?
Area of rapidly changing salinity with depth
What is the pycnocline?
Area of rapidly changing density with depth
What is the thermocline?
Area of rapidly changing temperature with depth
What is thermohaline circulation driven by?
Density
What are surface currents in the ocean driven by?
Wind
El Nino/La Nina conditions happen when the Trade Winds are reduced and the Equatorial Counter Current dominates water movement along the equator.
El Nino
El Nino/La Nina conditions result when when the Trade Winds are stronger and the North and South Equatorial Currents increase.
La Nina
El Nino/La Nina results in stronger upwelling along the coast of western South America.
La Nina
El Nino/La Nina creates warmer than normal surface water along the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean.
El Nino
What is the name of the fastest current in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre?
The Kuroshio Current
