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Ocean Currents Study Guide

- Ocean currents form large rotating gyres driven by wind patterns and the Coriolis effect. Along eastern boundaries, warm equatorial currents flow north or south. - Upwelling occurs where offshore winds push surface waters away from the coast, causing deep, nutrient-rich water to rise to the surface. This enriches marine life. Common upwelling zones are the coasts of California and Peru. - Upwelling brings cold, saline water and nutrients to the surface, lowering temperature and raising salinity locally while boosting plankton growth and fisheries.

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300 views6 pages

Ocean Currents Study Guide

- Ocean currents form large rotating gyres driven by wind patterns and the Coriolis effect. Along eastern boundaries, warm equatorial currents flow north or south. - Upwelling occurs where offshore winds push surface waters away from the coast, causing deep, nutrient-rich water to rise to the surface. This enriches marine life. Common upwelling zones are the coasts of California and Peru. - Upwelling brings cold, saline water and nutrients to the surface, lowering temperature and raising salinity locally while boosting plankton growth and fisheries.

Uploaded by

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Ocean Currents Lecture Notes (Topic 9A) – page 1

Ocean Currents Lecture Notes

Surface Currents

Ocean Currents (What is an ocean current? How is a current different from a wave?)

What is a gyre?

Why does the water move in gyres? (What is required? What is necessary?)

Note: The currents do NOT always move in the same direction as the Ekman Transport.
The winds TRY to push the water in the directions shown by Ekman Transport arrows,
but other things (e.g., land, water, other ocean currents) get in the way, so the water
often moves is a different direction than the Ekman Transport.
Ocean Currents Lecture Notes (Topic 9A) – page 2

Ocean Circulation Activity


On the maps below, sketch the overall motion Note: “NH” indicates that the winds
of the water (e.g., gyre) given the winds in map. blow in the northern hemisphere,
If there is no gyre, sketch the currents that while “SH” indicates that the winds
blow in the southern hemisphere.
would be created.
Then, explain why the ocean currents go in the directions that you sketched.
In other words, explain what pushes the water in the directions that you indicated on the map.
Note: Do NOT show the Ekman transport (the direction that the water is pushed by the wind);
instead, show the overall currents that result from the Ekman transport.
Ocean Currents Lecture Notes (Topic 9A) – page 3

Review Questions

Which way should the gyre go?


(Southern Hemisphere)
a. clockwise
b. counterclockwise
c. no gyre

What kind of boundary current flows


along the east coast of South America?
a. Eastern B.C.
b. Western B.C.

What is the direction of the current


along the east coast of South America?
Does it carry warm water or cold water?
a. north, warm water
b. north, cold water
c. south, warm water
d. south, cold water
Ocean Currents Lecture Notes (Topic 9A) – page 4

Currents and Life

Effects of Upwelling

Temperature the Surface of the Ocean:

Salinity of the Surface of the Ocean:

Life at the Surface of the Ocean:

Upwelling Locations (Where is upwelling common?)

Coast of California Equator

Land Equator

California

Land
Ocean Currents Lecture Notes (Topic 9A) – page 5

Review Questions

Which of the following are examples of upwelling?


a. Two ocean currents come together, and the water “piles up.”
b. Water comes up to replace water pushed away from a coast by winds.
c. Wave orbitals stir up water from below.

In which of the following places would you expect to find upwelling?


a. middle of Antarctic Ocean
b. middle of Arctic Ocean
c. center of subtropical gyres
d. east coast of South America
e. on the Equator
f. west coast of Africa
Ocean Currents Lecture Notes (Topic 9A) – page 6

Upwelling & Downwelling Activity


Note: “NH” indicates that the winds
On the maps below, sketch the direction(s) blow in the northern hemisphere,
that water will be pushed by the winds in map. while “SH” indicates that the winds
In other words, sketch the Ekman Transport. blow in the southern hemisphere.

Circle any areas of upwelling or downwelling (if there are any), and label your circles.
(In other words, write “upwelling” or “downwelling” on them).
How can you tell that upwelling or downwelling is happening in these places?
Explain your reasoning.
Then, explain how or why upwelling or downwelling happens under these conditions.

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