Ch 3.4 Currents and Climate

Question 1

current

Answer 1

A large stream of moving water that flows through the oceans.
It carries water from one place to another.

Question 2

surface current

Answer 2

1. affects water to a depth of several hundred meters.
2. mainly caused by winds.
3. move in circular patterns (east & west) in 5 major oceans.

Question 3

coriolis effect

Answer 3

1. the effect of earth’s rotation on the direction of winds and currents
2. in northern hemisphere, currents curve to the right
3. in southern hemisphere, currents curve to the left

Question 4

climate

Answer 4

the pattern of temperature and precipitation typical of an area over a long period of time

Question 5

how does current affect climate?

Answer 5

by moving cold and warm water around the globe.

a surface current warms or cools the air above it, influencing the climate of the land near the coast.

Question 6

how does wind affect weather?

Answer 6

winds pick up moisture as they blow across warm water currents, so they bring wet weather to the land areas.

if the water is cold, cold air holds less moisture and it will bring cool, dry weather to the land areas.

Question 7

El Nino

Answer 7

an abnormal climate event that occurs every two to seven years in Pacific Ocean.

the unusual winds in western Pacific cause warm water to move east toward south American coast.

Question 8

deep current

Answer 8

1. current deep below the ocean surface
2. caused by differences in density of ocean water (temperature and salinity)
3. move and mix water around the world from the poles to equator slowly

Question 9

upwelling

Answer 9

1. movement of cold water upward from the deep ocean
2. caused by wind
3. brings up tiny ocean organisms, minerals and other nutrients from deep ocean