3. The movement of different temperatures of water in oceans creates currents called convection currents. This makes the current very cold. To study more topics for UPSC, download the Testbook App now. This is the worlds most extensive ocean current and is an essential part of the Southern Ocean Current, which carries cold water from the poles to the tropics. The temperatures are higher at the equator than at the poles. Currents are created by tides as water moves from areas of high tide to areas of low tide. Note: The content on this website (www.mycourses.co.za) does not serve as a substitute for any officially assigned learning materials, resources, or any information in this regard. It is a massive movement of ocean water caused and influenced by a number of forces. Surface currents can move nutrients and creatures throughout the ocean. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is an ocean current that flows around the continent of Antarctica with an average water flow of 130 million cubic mt. Planetary winds Variation in seawater temperatures Variation in water salinity Rotation of earth Configuration of the coastlines 1. Cold currents are cooler than the surrounding water, whereas warm currents are often warmer. Densityb. there are warm ocean currents and cold ocean currents. WebThe following factors cause ocean currents: (a) The prevailing winds are the major cause of the ocean waters moving in a definite direction. Movements of ocean water are also affected by external forces like the sun, moon and the winds. :Regulate the temperature of the North Pacific region. The unchanged pressure gradient gives rise to a current speed independent of depth. 5 causes of ocean current As the water flows eastward, a process almost the same as the one weve seen repeats itself. When the wind blows across the surface of the ocean, it can create currents that can travel for long distances. MEASUREMENT OF CURRENTS 5. 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The pushing action of these winds makes the waters flow as they do. 5. WebOcean currents influence climate because the currents are major redistributors of heat and energy throughout the globe. This is one of the major warm surface currents, and it flows along the east coast of Japan. the amount of salt in water. They move heat and energy from the tropics to higher latitudes and can affect local, regional, and even global climate and weather patterns. Causes of Ocean Currents. Causes of Ocean Currents: Planetary winds, Rotation of earth and Other, What are Ocean Currents: Two Types - Warm Currents and Cold Currents. Currents Compare and contrast different species of ocean animals, from their physical characteristics to their behavior and habitat. Currents Nirnay IAS: Best UPSC Online Coaching & Courses For CSE 2024. For example, monsoon winds can lead to seasonal variations in the intensity and direction of ocean currents in the Indian Ocean. They are a continuous general A person may wonder what ocean currents are and what factors cause the formation of ocean currents. Thermohaline circulation is the technique responsible for the motion of deep ocean currents. OCEAN CURRENTS Causes This current helps to distribute heat and nutrients throughout the ocean. For example, the Gulf Stream carries warm water from the tropics to higher latitudes. Salinity is the _____________ of an oceana. Ocean Currents Ocean currents are general movements or drifts of the surface water of the ocean in a fairly defined direction. For detailed info- Video. UNIT 5 EXAM GEOLOGY CHAPTER 15 . csee review questions Warm and less dense water rises and flows back towards the poles, whereas cold, dense water sinks in high-latitude areas and flows towards the equator resulting in a system that resembles a conveyor belt that helps in the global transportation of heat and nutrients. What causes the California current? It is the world's largest ocean current and an important part of the climate and ocean circulation systems. . main For a number of disciplines, including oceanography, climate science, and marine biology, it is important to study ocean currents. General Circulation Of The Atmosphere NCERT, UPSC Civil Engineering Optional Question Papers, UPSC Anthropology Optional Question Papers, UPSC Agriculture Optional Question Papers, Important Articles In Indian Constitution, Types Of Majorities In The Indian Parliament Article 249, Rowlatt Act And Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Difference Between UPSC Prelims & Mains Exam. The Kuroshio Current is formed by the movement of water in the western Pacific Ocean, which is warmed by the sun and then flows northward along the east coast of Japan. it causes water to expand. Gravity tends to pull items towards the surface of the earth. kcse revision notes This makes the water light. They are: Waves. Volcanic eruptions - The main effect volcanoes have on the climate is short-term cooling. Ocean Currents OceanAnimals and PlantsExplorationComparisonsListiclesLakes. The bathymetry of the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean governs the course of the Kerguelen deep western boundary current, part of the global network of ocean currents. Ages: What Causes the Earth to Freeze Over Every Few Million The warm current eventually merges with the Kuroshio Current in the western Pacific, where it transports a sizable amount of water and heat from the tropics. Coriolis Effect Currents influence the climate of the costal regions. Currents are cohesive streams of seawater that circulate through the ocean. What Causes Deep Currents? Temporal and inertial terms are generally of secondary importance to the general flow, though they become important for transient features such as meanders and eddies. Cold water weighs more per unit volume than warm water, so gravity exerts a greater force on it. First, by helping in the distribution of heat and nutrients among the world's seas, the Equatorial Counter Current contributes to the global ocean circulation and climate system. In this article, we will explore the 5 main causes of ocean currents. Also, check out the article on Ocean Floor and its features for UPSC preparation! WebSurface currents are created by three things: global wind patterns. Solar heating. The Wind is responsible for ocean currents as it blows the water on the surface, causing the currents. Although only 100 to 200 km. Ocean currents are the directional movement of seawater that is continuous and predictable. The following aspects are highlighted in this lesson: 1. The density of ocean water is affected too by the amount of salt present in the water. The wind and sun make ocean currents move. WebOcean currents are general movements or drifts of the surface water of the ocean in a fairly defined direction. WebHistorical evidence for changes in ocean currents. The ocean is a vast body of saltwater that covers nearly 71% of the Earths surface. Water in the ocean can move both horizontally and vertically. It transports cold water from the poles to the tropics, which helps to keep the region cool in summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, this deflection would be toward the left. Are you thinking of what helps to regulate the temperature of the Southern Ocean region? A current is the steady, predictable flow of one fluid within the body of another fluid. necta chemistry past papers This abiotic system is responsible for the Why water moves in a circular pattern The sun heats water at the equator. The general circulation is governed by the equation of motion, one of the fundamental laws of mechanics developed by English physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton that was applied to a continuous volume of water. The 5 Main Causes of Ocean Currents Temperature differences: One of the main causes of ocean currents is the temperature differences between the equator and Salinity differences: The salinity (saltiness) of water can also cause ocean currents. The North Equatorial Current is a major surface current in the Pacific Ocean that flows east to west along the equator. Ocean currents are continuous movements of ocean water that wind, breaking waves, temperature and salinity differences, and other forces acting upon the water generated. This pressure head drives the surface circulation. They have a big impact on. This Stream is crucial for moving heat and warm water from the tropics to higher latitudes, where it can greatly affect the climate. The trade winds push water towards the west side of the ocean basins, leading to a difference in water level between the eastern and western equatorial regions. Boundary current The following are Causes of ocean currents The prevailing winds. The Equatorial Counter Current is often referred to as a counter current due to the fact that it flows in the opposite direction of the trade winds and the other major equatorial currents, like the North and South Equatorial Currents. III. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY They tend to be persistent. There are five major gyres: the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, the North Pacific, the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean Gyre, see figure 1. In the Indian Ocean, the monsoon currents closely follow the coastlines. This friction between the atmosphere and the water causes the surface water to move in the wind direction. kcse history Know more about Deep Ocean Mission for UPSC preparation! As most cold currents flow along the western coast of continents, some of the major deserts are found in such regions. Solar heating. all form four past paper Surface currents are the most visible current driven by wind and the Earths rotation. To an observer in space, a moving body would continue to move in a straight line unless the motion were acted upon by some other force. In the equatorial region, ocean water gets more heated than in the cold Polar Regions. The energy from the Sun heats the surface of the earth that includes the surface of the ocean. WebHorizontal pressure-gradient forces, Coriolis forces, and frictional forces are important forces that cause and affect ocean currents. Causes of Ocean Currents. This determines the agricultural and hence all other economic activities of the region. Wind. The ocean is a world full of mysteries and secrets waiting to be uncovered. In a homogeneous ocean, which would have a constant potential density, horizontal pressure differences are possible only if the sea surface is tilted. Web9.1 Surface Gyres. The salinity of the water. The tilt, or topographic relief, of the isobaric surface marking sea surface (defined as p = 0) can be constructed from a three-dimensional density distribution using the hydrostatic equation. Ocean Currents it causes water to expand. Ocean water moves in two directions: horizontally and vertically. Web2. Near the shore, tidal currents are the strongest. It is one of the major fishing centers of the world. Ocean currents are the continuous, predictable, directional movement of seawater. It causes a slight slope in 2. In conclusion, ocean currents are driven by a combination of factors such as temperature differences, salinity differences, wind, Earths rotation, and tides. kcse resources At the end of the last ice age, scientists believe that the melting ice disrupted the ocean currents in the North Atlantic and caused a drop in temperature of almost 5 degrees. kcse geography revision notes Such currents are generally referred to as convection currents. Get a deeper understanding of the oceans inhabitants with our comparison articles. Ocean current The more salt the denser the water the deeper it sinks. For example, Peru current is a cold-water current of the southeast Pacific Ocean, and it is the leading cause of the dryness of the Atacama desert (the driest desert in the world). It is home to an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales, and its depths contain many mysteries yet to be uncovered. Causes of Ocean Currents. Determination of wind direction; Causes of subsurface ocean currents may occur due to the wind direction. WebCauses. Coriolis effect. Wind. What are the 5 main causes of ocean currents? necta csee chemistry past papers Prohibited Content 3. preservearticles.com All rights reserved. WebOcean currents are the continuous, predictable, directional movement of seawater driven by gravity, wind (Coriolis Effect), and water density. Causes We achieve this by having the best team create content - this ranges from marine experts, trained scuba divers, marine-related enthusiasts, and more. Wind. causes ocean currents Deep ocean currents generated by temperature gradients are important for the life cycle of many species, such as eels. Check out the details on Ocean Waves with this link! KCSE COMMERCE NOTES Wind. WebWater in oceans behaves like the water in this experiment: hot water will rise to the surface and cold water will sink. They typically originate in low-latitude regions where there is warm water present. it causes water to expand. It has an impact on the marine ecosystems in the Southern Ocean and those surrounding Antarctica, which helps in the survival of several rare marine plant and animal species. The process that creates deep currents is called thermohaline circulationthermo referring to temperature and haline to saltiness. All currents in the northern hemisphere move in a clockwise direction, while in the southern hemisphere they move in an anti-clockwise direction. These include: Wind: One of the most common causes of ocean currents is wind. It causes the currents to be deflected to the right in the direction to which they flow in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere the currents tend to be deflected towards the left. of Ocean Currents The water around the equator is roughly 8cm high than in middle latitudes. The North Atlantic Drift in the Atlantic and the North Pacific current in the Pacific move in the northeast direction under the influence of westerlies. Alligator Snapping Turtle vs Common Snapping Turtle. When viewed from space, the predominance of Earths oceans is readily apparent. english language 2. Ocean water moves in two directions: horizontally and vertically. The current in the ocean is originated due to the combined effect of all these factors acting internally as well as externally. The Wind is responsible for ocean currents as it blows the water on the surface, causing the currents. For Earth, horizontal deflections due to the rotational induced Coriolis force act on particles moving in any horizontal direction. The Gulf Stream is widely known as a warm surface current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic coast of Europe. In this article, we shall study in detail the Causes, Types, Distribution, Characteristics & Effects, and Classification of Ocean Currents Based on various factors. salinity may increase the density of the waters. What are the 5 main causes of ocean currents? Ocean currents are continuous movements of ocean water that wind, breaking waves, temperature and salinity differences, and other forces acting upon the water generate. Causes The distribution of ocean currents across five major oceans is discussed below. Major Ocean Currents Warm currents keep the Arctic regions free from icebergs, which can be dangerous for ships. causes ocean currents In the equatorial belt, temperatures are high and therefore waters are warm and tend to be less dense, unlike the polar region or high latitude region waters.

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