3 things that can affect surface currents

3 THINGS THAT CAN AFFECT SURFACE OCEAN CURRENTS

Grace Oh

WIND

How does WIND affect surface ocean currents?

Surface ocean currents are set in motion by wind. Permanent global wind patterns push the ocean's surface causing currents.

CORIOLIS EFFECT

How does CORIOLIS EFFECT affect surface ocean currents?

Coriolis effect: A force that causes currents to go clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counter- clockwise in the Southern. Hemisphere

Without Coriolis effect, the currents would move back and forth in a straight line between low pressure at the equator and high pressure at the poles.

CONTINENTS DEFLECTING THE CURRENT

How do CONTINENTS DEFLECTING THE CURRENT affect surface ocean currents?

Continents affect surface ocean currents by deflecting them from their original path.

As a ocean current moves towards a continent, it can not continue forward because the continent is blocking its way. So, it forces the ocean current to deflect away or change direction from the land mass

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