Currents

Ocean Currents

Topic: Currents

pg.29

Ocean Currents are like underwater rivers

There are 2 types of ocean currents: surfa
ce currents & deep sea currents.
Surface currents are controlled by global
winds, the Coriolis effect, and continental
deflections
Deep ocean currents are controlled by cha
nges in waters density
The density of water is affected by temper
ature and salinity

Dictionary Words

Ocean Currents
Surface Current
Coriolis Effect
Deep current

Surface Currents
Surface Currents are controlled by 4 thing
s
Global Winds
Coriolis Effect
Continental Deflections
Temperature

Global Winds
When you blow across a h
ot chocolate, it makes rippl
es or waves.
When the wind blows acro
ss the ocean, it makes larg
er ripple that we call surfac
e currents.

Global Winds
Near the equator, wi
nds blow ocean wate
r EAST to WEST

Near the poles, wind

s blow ocean water
WEST to EAST

Coriolis Effect
The rotation of the Earth causes winds to m
ove in a curved line instead of a straight lin
e.

Coriolis Effect
In the NORTHERN hemi
sphere, the winds blow
clockwise

In the SOUTHERN hemi

sphere, the winds blow
counterclockwise

Continental Deflections
When a current meets l
and, it changes directio
n, or deflects.

Continental Deflection

Temperature
Water from the HOT eq
uator brings warm wate
r to other parts of the o
cean
Water from the COLD p
oles brings cold water t
o other parts of the oce
an

Temperature

In AT LEAST a paragraph, describe the cause of S

URFACE currents. Use the words from your fold
able in your answer.

Surface currents are caused by . (the 4 fl

aps)
Global winds are It makes water move...
The Coriolis effect is . It causes water to
move
Continental Deflections are . They cause
water to move
Temperature changes near the