Ocean Currents:
The Earth's Water Highways
Learning Target:
Identify the causes of surface ocean currents (global
winds, continental deflection, Coriolis effect).
Explain how global winds, the position of the
continents, and the Coriolis effect affect the currents.
View models to demonstrate the causes of deep
ocean currents (density of the ocean water due to
temperature & salinity).
Explain how temperature and salinity influence the
currents in the ocean.
Objective NOTES!
Students will be able to explain how the
sun's heat and salt differences drive ocean
currents, identify their causes, and model
current movements.
Did you know that ocean currents regulate the
climate?
Ocean currents help to balance the Earth's temperature
by moving warm water from the equator to the poles,
and cold water from the poles back to the tropics.
What does this make you think or wonder?
We will vote on the most interesting answers!
Let's Explore
Surface Currents NOTES!
Surface ocean currents are like rivers on the ocean's
surface. They're driven by wind patterns, the shape of
continents, and the Earth's rotation, known as the
Coriolis effect. Imagine a giant conveyor belt moving
warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water
back to the equator.
External YouTube media
What drives surface ocean currents?
A) Sunlight B) Wind C) Fish D) Boats
Global Influences NOTES!
Winds blowing across the ocean set water in
motion. When these currents hit continents,
they change direction, a process called
continental deflection. The Coriolis effect,
caused by Earth's rotation, also bends these
currents, creating circular patterns in the ocean.
The Coriolis Effect NOTES!
The Coriolis effect is like an imaginary force that makes things moving across the Earth appear to
curve, because the Earth is spinning, so as something travels long distances, it gets pushed slightly to
the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, making it look like
it's curving instead of going straight; this is why big storms spin in different directions depending on
where they are on Earth!
The Coriolis Effect NOTES!
Earth's rotation: The Coriolis effect happens because our planet spins on its axis.
Direction of deflection: In the Northern Hemisphere, moving objects get pushed to
the right, and in the Southern Hemisphere, they get pushed to the left.
Impact on weather: This effect is why hurricanes and big storms spin in different
directions depending on which hemisphere they are in.
Think of it like this: Imagine throwing a ball across a spinning
merry-go-round - the ball won't go straight because the
merry-go-round is moving underneath it, making the ball's path
look curved.
External YouTube media
Draw a silly fish with a hat and glasses swimming in
the ocean.
It is brain break time!
Deep Currents NOTES!
Deep ocean currents are like underwater rivers.
They are driven by differences in water density,
which is affected by water temperature and
salinity. Cold, salty water is heavier and sinks,
creating a deep current that moves water
around the globe.
External YouTube media
When she went from purple to blue, the colors DID
NOT MIX, but when she went from blue to purple,
they DID MIX. Which color do you think had the
GREATEST SALINITY? Why do you think this?
We will vote on the best answers to the question!
Explain what was happening with the jars of blue and
red water.
We will vote on the best answers to the question!
Let's check your understanding.
What causes the formation of deep ocean currents?
rotation of Earth on its axis change in the magnetic field temperature and salinity movement of tectonic plates
of Earth differences of water in the under Earth’s surface
ocean
On Earth, where are warm ocean currents formed?
Northern Southern near the equator near the poles
Hemisphere Hemisphere
What is the primary force that drives surface ocean currents?
Wind, continental Underwater volcanic The movement of the Deep ocean currents
deflection, and Earth's activity tides
rotation (Coriolis effect)
What question do you still have
about ocean currents?
We will vote on the best question!
