Currents and Climate

Question 1

A _______ is a large stream of moving water that flows through the ocean.

Answer 1

current

Question 2

Unlike waves, currents _______ from one place to another.

Answer 2

carry water

Question 3

Where do currents move water?

Answer 3

At the surface of the ocean and deep in the ocean

Question 4

Surface currents, which affect water to a depth of several hundred meters, are driven mainly by _______.

Answer 4

winds

Question 5

What are the patterns of the surface currents?

Answer 5

circular

Question 6

What direction to surface currents move?

Answer 6

east or west, then double back to complete the circle

Question 7

Why do currents move in a curved pattern?

Answer 7

because of the rotation of the Earth

Question 8

The effects of the Earth’s rotation on the direction of winds and currents is called the _______.

Answer 8

Coriolis Effect

Question 9

What direction are the winds curved in the Northern Hemisphere?

Answer 9

right

Question 10

What direction are the winds curved in the Southern Hemisphere?

Answer 10

left

Question 11

The larges and most powerful surface current in North Atlantic Ocean is the _______.

Answer 11

Gulf Stream

Question 12

What causes the Gulf Stream?

Answer 12

Strong winds from the west

Question 13

Currents affect _______ by moving cold water around the globe.

Answer 13

climate

Question 14

Climate is the pattern of _______ and _______ typical of an area over a long period of time.

Answer 14

temperature / precipitation

Question 15

In general, _______ carry warm water from the tropics toward the poles and bring cold water back to the _______.

Answer 15

currents / equator

Question 16

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

Answer 16

climate

Question 17

_______ currents cause mild,rainy weather.

Answer 17

Kuroshio

Question 18

What types of weather do cold water currents cause?

Answer 18

cool & dry

Question 19

When changes in wind _______and currents occur, they can have a major impact on the ocean and neighboring land.

Answer 19

pattern

Question 20

_______ is an abnormal climate event.

Answer 20

El Nino

Question 21

How often does El Nino occur?

Answer 21

every 2-7 years

Question 22

In El Nino, an unusual pattern of winds forms over the _______.

Answer 22

Pacific Ocean

Question 23

A vast sheet of warm water moves _______ toward the South American coast.

Answer 23

eastward

Question 24

What are the effects of El Nino?

Answer 24

heavy rains, flooding mudslides, warm winters and tornadoes.