Currents

Question 1

What is a current?

Answer 1

A current is a direct and continuous movement of seawater in the ocean.

Question 2

What is a rip current?

Answer 2

Water builds up at the top of a beach. They are an energy source in the coastal environment.

Question 3

What is upwelling?

Answer 3

Vertical water movement means cold water is moved up to the surface of the ocean

Question 4

What is downwelling?

Answer 4

surface water is pushed down to deeper in the ocean

Question 5

What is thermohaline circulation?

Answer 5

Global movement of water known as the great conveyer belt. Cold water rises while warm water sinks.

Key role in distributing heat and regulating cllimate

Question 6

What is a deep ocean current?

Answer 6

Density driven and slower moving than surface currents

Question 7

What causes the global conveyor belt?

Answer 7

1) warm surface currents taking carrying less dense water away from the equator towards the poles

2) cold deep ocean currents taking denser water away from the poles towards the equator