What is a surface current definition?

What is a surface current definition?

Surface currents are currents that are located in the upper 1,300 feet of the ocean, as opposed to deep in the ocean.

What are surface currents in the ocean?

The water of the ocean surface moves in a regular pattern called surface ocean currents. The water at the ocean surface is moved primarily by winds that blow in certain patterns because of the Earth’s spin and the Coriolis Effect. Winds are able to move the top 400 meters of the ocean creating surface ocean currents.

What are surface currents and what causes them?

Surface currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. Patterns of surface currents are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents.

What is an example of surface currents?

Two examples are the California Current (Cal) in the Pacific ocean basin and the Canary Current (Can) in the Atlantic ocean basin. The North Equatorial Current (NE) and the South Equatorial Current (SE) flow in the same direction.

What is a surface current quizlet?

surface currents. ocean currents that occur at or near the surface of the ocean, caused by wind. affected by 3 factors; continental deflections, the coriolis effect, and global winds.

What are surface currents and deep currents?

Surface currents are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. Deep currents, also known as thermohaline circulation, result from differences in water density. These currents occur when cold, dense water at the poles sinks.

How do surface currents work?

Surface currents are caused mainly by winds but not daily winds. Surface currents are caused by the major wind belts. These winds blow in the same direction all the time. So they can keep water moving in the same direction.

What are the three factors that control surface currents?

Surface currents are controlled by three factors: global winds, the Coriolis effect, and continental deflections.

What factors impact surface currents?

Currents on the surface are determined by three major factors: the major overall global wind patterns, the rotation of the Earth, and the shape of ocean basins.

What is the most important cause of surface currents?

Wind is the most important cause of surface currents. When strong, sustained winds blow across the sea, friction drags a thin layer of water into motion. The movement of the very topmost layer of the sea pulls on the water just beneath, which then in turn starts the layer under it moving.

What is difference between surface currents and deep currents?

Deep currents are driven by density differences, while surface currents are driven by wind and Earth’s rotation. Deep currents transport ocean water from north to south, while surface currents transport water from east to west. D. Surface currents don’t have much impact on Earth’s climate, while deep currents do have a large impact on the climate.