Movement of Ocean Water
Oceans are always in constant movement caused by: Variations in Density
Wind
Specific Heat of Water Water has a high specific heat (4.184 J/g*C)
It takes a lot of energy to heat up water and cool it down
Density Currents
Density Currents-Ocean Currents that move due to differences in density Global Conveyor Belt
Ocean Currents Upwelling Currents – Occur when wind moves seawater at the surface and
new water from below replaces it
Coriolis Effect Coriolis Effect-The rotation of the Earth results in wind
blowing in a circular motion Wind blows to the right in the Northern Hemisphere
Wind blows to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
Gyres Gyres are large circular current systems that flow from
north to south and are caused by the Coriolis Effect 5 major gyres:
2 in the Pacific Ocean
2 in the Atlantic Ocean
1 in the Indian Ocean
Surface Currents Surface Currents are currents that affect the upper most
portions of the surface Surface Currents that flow towards the equator generally bring cold water
Surface Currents that flow away from the equator generally bring warm water
Ocean Currents
Deep Currents – Move slowly beneath surface, primarily caused by differing water densities
Climate Impact Coastal Areas: Have a high amount of water vapor in
the air. Summer will be cooler
Winters will be warmer
Climate Impact In cities located further from the coast there is less water
vapor in the air
Summers will be very hot
Winters will be very cold
Tides Tides – Daily changes in the level of the ocean surface
2 high tides and 2 low tides each day caused by gravitational pull of primarily the moon, but also the sun
High Tides and Low Tides High (Flood) Tides – Occur on side of Earth facing and opposite the moon, due to
both gravity facing and centrifugal force opposite
•Low (Ebb) Tides – Occur on sides halfway between the moon
Spring Tides and Neap Tides
Neap Tides = Small tidal range, when moon and sun are perpendicular
•Spring Tides = Highest and lowest tides, when moon and sun align
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