OCEAN CURRENTS

The Ocean and the Wind• On the ocean surface, wind

is what drives the direction of the water.

• The Coriolis Force helps to turn the water to the east (right) in the N.H. and east (left) in the S.H.

The Ekman Spiral• The Coriolis Force helps

push water to the right.

• This water pushes on the water below it.

• The effect is a spiral of water moving deeper to about 400 feet. This is called the Ekman Spiral.

• This creates “piles” of water called gyres.

Upwelling• Upwelling is when water

from the deep ocean moves to the surface to replace moving currents.

• This happens along the equator and along many west-coasts.

• This water is very cold, but also very nutrient-rich.

Meridional Overturning CirculationOr

The Global Conveyor Belt• As ocean currents move

North, water becomes saltier and colder.

• Cold, salty water is denser, so this water sinks.

• This is the “conveyor” that drives the world’s ocean currents.

• **Day After Tomorrow Scenario**