Science Quiz - Surface Currents Vocab

Air pressure

The force of air pushing down on Earth’s surface. Areas with high pressure have sinking air, while areas with low pressure have rising air.

Angle of insolation

The angle at which sunlight hits the Earth’s surface.

Coriolis effect

The apparent curving of winds caused by the spinning of the Earth. The equator is spins faster than the poles, so winds moving away from the equator and towards the poles move ahead while winds moving away from the poles and towards the equator lag behind.

Garbage patch

A large area of ocean where trash, especially plastic, collects due to ocean currents and gyres.

Global winds

Large-scale wind patterns that blow steadily over long distances. Global winds are caused by unequal heating of Earth’s surface and the planet’s rotation.

Gulf stream

A warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico along the eastern coast of the United States and across the Atlantic Ocean, helping keep Europe warmer.

Gyre

 A large circular system of ocean currents that moves around an ocean basin.

Microplastics

Very small pieces of plastic, often less than 5 millimeters long, that come from broken-down plastic waste or other products.

Ocean current

 A large, continuous movement of ocean water that flows in a specific direction. Ocean currents help move heat and nutrients around the Earth.

Surface current

Ocean currents that move water near the surface of the ocean (first 100 meters). These currents are mostly driven by wind.

Wind

The movement of air from areas of high air pressure to areas of low air pressure.