Atmosphere - Oceanic Circulation

Question 1

Tell me about the patterns of ocean currents.

Answer 1

1. currents flow in loops or gyres, clockwise in the northern hemisphere.
2. warm currents travel from the equator towards the poles (eg the North Atlantic Drift)
3. Cold currents return cool water from the poles (eg The Labrador)

Question 2

Tell me about the redistribution of energy by ocean currents.

Answer 2

1. Ocean currents are greatly influenced by prevailing winds, with energy being transferred by friction to the ocean currents.
2. Land masses such as North America divert ocean currents.
3. Due to differential heating/salinity, density differences occur in the water, resulting in cold polar water sinking, and spreading towards the equator and displacing warm water polewards

Question 3

(Patterns)
Currents flow in ___ or ___.

Answer 3

loops or gyres

Question 4

(Patterns)
Warm currents flow from the ___ towards the ___ (eg the ___ ___ ___)

Answer 4

equator, poles, Great Atlantic Drift

Question 5

(Patterns)
Cold currents return ___ water from the ___ (eg ___ ___)

Answer 5

cool, poles, The Labrador

Question 6

(redistribution of energy)
ocean currents are greatly influenced by ___ ___, with ___ being transferred by ___ to the ocean currents.

Answer 6

prevailing winds, energy, friction.

Question 7

(redistribution of energy)
Land ___ such as ___ ___ disrupt ocean currents.

Answer 7

masses, North America

Question 8

(redistribution of energy)
Due to ___ ___ and/or ___, differences in ___ occur, resulting in polar water ___, and spreading towards the ___, displacing warm water ___.

Answer 8

differential heating, salinity, density, sinking, equator, polewards