earth science currents

Coriolis Effect

Deflection of moving air and water due to Earth’s rotation

Cause of Coriolis Effect

Earth’s rotation

Coriolis Effect – Northern Hemisphere

Deflects to the right

Coriolis Effect – Southern Hemisphere

Deflects to the left

Where is Coriolis Effect strongest?

Near the poles

Where is Coriolis Effect weakest?

Near the equator

Where is Coriolis Effect zero?

At the equator

What increases Coriolis deflection?

Faster wind speed and closer to the poles

What decreases Coriolis deflection?

Slower wind speed and closer to the equator

Waves

Movement of energy through water

What causes waves?

Wind

What happens to water in waves?

Water moves in circles (energy moves forward not water)

Surface Currents

Caused by wind and move water across the ocean surface

Deep Ocean Currents

Caused by density (temperature and salinity)

Density

How tightly packed matter is

Salinity

Amount of salt in water

Cold Water

More dense sinks

Warm Water

Less dense rises

What causes waves in the ocean?

Wind

Do waves move water or energy?

Energy

How does water move in a wave?

In circular motion

What causes surface currents?

Wind

What causes deep ocean currents?

Density (temperature and salinity)

What happens to cold salty water?

It sinks

What is the main cause of surface currents?

The main cause of surface currents is wind

What current warms the east coast of the United States?

The Gulf Stream warms the east coast of the United States

What causes deep ocean currents?

Deep ocean currents are caused by differences in temperature and salinity

Which type of current is caused by density?

Deep ocean currents are caused by density

How do ocean currents affect climate?

Ocean currents affect climate by changing the temperature of nearby land

Where is the Gulf Stream located?

The Gulf Stream is located along the east coast of the United States

Which direction does the Gulf Stream move?

The Gulf Stream moves north

Where is the California Current located?

The California Current is located along the west coast of the United States

Which direction does the California Current move?

The California Current moves south

Where are the North and South Equatorial Currents located?

They are located near the equator

Which direction do the equatorial currents move?

The equatorial currents move west

Gulf Stream

Located along the east coast of the United States. warm current. moves north

California Current

Located along the west coast of the United States. moves south. cold current

North Equatorial Current

Located just north of the equator. moves west

South Equatorial Current

Located just south of the equator. moves west