currents

Question 1

SURFACE CURRENTS
A horizontal movement of ocean water that is caused by wind that occurs at or near the ocean’s surface

Question 2

N. & S. EQUATORIAL CURRENTS
Westward flowing water N & S of equator due to trade winds

Question 3

EQUATORIAL COUNTERCURRENT
Narrow band of Eastward flowing water along equator- follows doldrums

Question 4

A CONTINUITY CURRENT
balances Westward flow of Equatorial Currents

Question 5

BOUNDARY CURRENTS
ocean currents with dynamics determined by the presence of a coastline, and fall into two distinct categories: east and west boundary currents. Generally N-S currents along cont. margins. Currents along westward edges of oceans generally stronger. Eastern colder, western warmer

Question 6

GYRES
Circular to elliptical currents in oceans

Question 7

Subtropical Gyres
Centered in subtropical regions. Include Equatorial & Boundary Currents and higher latitude, weaker E-ward flowing currents (due to mid-latitude westerlies). Circulate water ocean-wide

Question 8

Polar Gyres

Answer 8

Centered in high latitude regions in N. Hemisphere. Due to configuration of continents

Question 9

Antarctic Circumpolar Current

Answer 9

West-to-east current circling Antarctica. Set up by mid-latitude westerlies in Southern Hemisphere