Currents
A "CURRENT" AFFAIR - WIND AFFECTING CURRENTS
Wind-driven currents affect about 20% of the ocean's total
volume. These are the only currents that most people see. Sailors have charted
patterns of the ocean's currents for hundreds of years. TOPEX/Poseidon is
the first space mission that allows scientists to use ocean topography
to calculate the speed and directions of ocean currents almost everywhere
in the ocean.
The sun ultimately creates winds in the atmosphere and ocean currents. Because
the equator receives more direct rays from the sun throughout the year, the
equatorial oceans " heat up " more than the oceans at higher latitudes
in both the north and the south. This creates a temperature imbalance, which
creates a pole ward flow of heat by way of the atmospheric winds and the oceanic
currents. Unequal heating of the atmosphere on land and the oceans creates
winds and circulation.
Here's an important distinction! Wind direction
indicates the direction the wind originates from. For example, a " north
wind " blows out of the north to the south. This is the opposite of water-current
flow. A " northerly current " flows to the north, not out of the
north. It's important to keep this distinction in mind when learning about
wind and ocean currents.
Are currents under pressure?
Go "FORWARD" to find out!
Printer
Friendly Page){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}