Ocean circulation Flashcards
density of air is controlled by…
pressure, moisture, temperature
warm air and moist air is…
less dense
air pressure
weight of atmosphere
winds are caused by
pressure differences
low pressure
air pressure/density lower than surrounding area, air expands up
high pressure
air pressure/density higher than surrounding area, air contracts
pressure gradient
high to low, short distance means high pressure
wind/ocean naming
wind by direction coming from ocean direction travelling to
global circulation
equator has low pressure due to heating which rises and travels to poles, high pressure forms and sinks
coriolis
highest at poles, none at equator
convection cells
warm air rising/sinking from equator to poles
hadley cells
near equator
ferrel cells
mid latitude
things affecting ocean currents
pressure gradient, density, coriolis
causes of currents
transfer of energy by wind
gyre current
circulation current between continents
mound
high pressure
what causes pressure differences in ocean
mounds
ekman transport
water moving down water column
upwelling
wind blows parallel, water is moved and is replaced by upwelling
downwelling
wind blows parallel, water moved towards shore and water sinks
langmuir circulation
alternating convergence/divergence
geostrophic winds
caused by mounding in gyres, high to low on mound then deflected, then coriolis equals pg, causing wind to flow at bas and build up height
currents in gyres are
asymmetrical
