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2.4 Ocean Currents

Understand how ocean currents affect climate

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2.4.1 Define Ocean Current1. Permanent or

semi-permanent horizontal movement of surface water

2. It is unusually cold or hot

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continued…

3. Caused by Prevailing winds Temperature variation Salinity differences Coriolis force

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http://learningdemo.com/noaa/lesson08.html

Video…Causes of Ocean Currents

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2.4.1 continued…Cold ocean

currents

1. Humboldt or Peru current cold from Antarctica

2. Labrador current

cold from Arctic Ocean

Warm ocean currents

1. Gulf Stream

warm from Gulf of Mexico

2. Japanese current warm from Japan

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2.4.1 continued… Affect of cold

ocean currents1. Cools the summer

temperature2. Reduces

precipitation; (cooler air holds less moisture)

Affect of warm ocean currents

1. Warms the winter temperature

2. Increases precipitation; (warmer air holds more moisture)

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2.4.2 Two coastal locations on the same latitude

Newfoundland

England

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2.4.2 Two coastal locations on the same latitude

Newfoundland Influenced by

Labrador CurrentCold currentCauses the cooler

moderate climate

England Area affected by

North Atlantic Drift Warm current Causes a warmer

moderate climate