Table of Contents
- 1 What are 4 factors that cause ocean currents?
- 2 What causes ocean currents and waves to form?
- 3 What is the main cause of these currents?
- 4 What causes ocean currents quizlet Earth science?
- 5 What determines swell direction?
- 6 What are four factors cause ocean currents?
- 7 Which factor drives surface ocean currents?
What are 4 factors that cause ocean currents?
There are four factors affecting the origin and flow of Ocean Currents i.e. Rotation and gravitational force of the Earth; Oceanic factors (temperature, salinity, density, pressure gradient and melting of ice); atmospheric factors (atmospheric pressure, winds, rainfall, evaporation and insolation); factors that …
What causes ocean currents and waves to form?
Ocean waves are caused by wind moving across the surface of the water. The friction between the air molecules and the water molecules causes energy to be transferred from the wind to the water. This causes waves to form. What is a wave?
What are the three main causes of surface currents?
Surface currents are controlled by three factors: global winds, the Coriolis effect, and continental deflections. surface create surface currents in the ocean. Different winds cause currents to flow in different directions. objects from a straight path due to the Earth’s rotation.
What are the causes and effects of ocean currents?
Winds, water density, and tides all drive ocean currents. Coastal and sea floor features influence their location, direction, and speed. Earth’s rotation results in the Coriolis effect which also influences ocean currents.
What is the main cause of these currents?
Ocean currents can be caused by wind, density differences in water masses caused by temperature and salinity variations, gravity, and events such as earthquakes or storms. These currents move water masses through the deep ocean—taking nutrients, oxygen, and heat with them.
What causes ocean currents quizlet Earth science?
The oceans contain streamlike movements of water. Ocean currents that occur at or near the surface of the ocean, caused by wind.
How do surface currents develop?
Surface currents are created by three things: global wind patterns, the rotation of the Earth, and the shape of the ocean basins. Surface currents are extremely important because they distribute heat around the planet and are a major factor influencing climate around the globe.
How are breakers formed?
Formation of Breakers The oscillating movement of water produced by a traveling gravity wave – a movement that doesn’t much impact deeper water – is altered once the wave enters shallower depths. A steeper bottom tends to produce plunging breakers, which curl over upon themselves and crash down.
What determines swell direction?
Swell direction is the direction from which the swell is coming. It is measured in degrees (as on a compass), and often referred to in general directions, such as a NNW or SW swell. Swell period is an important factor in surf forecasting. It is a measurement of time between successive waves in seconds.
What are four factors cause ocean currents?
Trade Winds. Trade winds are the winds that blow in the direction from east to west.
What are the causes of origin ocean currents?
Ocean Currents The ocean currents are the horizontal flow of a mass of water in a fairly defined direction over great distances. They are just like a river flowing in an ocean. Ocean currents can be formed by the winds, density differences in ocean waters due to differences in temperature and salinity, gravity and events such as earthquakes.
What are the four major ocean currents?
The gyre has a clockwise circular pattern and is formed by four prevailing ocean currents: the North Pacific Current to the north, the California Current to the east, the North Equatorial Current to the south, and the Kuroshio Current to the west.
Which factor drives surface ocean currents?
Surface currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. Patterns of surface currents are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents.