Which factor causes surface ocean currents?

Asked by: David Onsongo

Surface currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. Patterns of surface currents are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents.

Which factor causes surface ocean currents quizlet?

Wind direction, the spin of Earth, and differences in temperature contribute to currents. Currents occur at the surface of and deep within the ocean. The Coriolis effect contributes to the direction of current flow. Wind direction, the spin of Earth, and differences in temperature contribute to currents.

Which 4 factors influence surface ocean currents?

Four Factors That Create Ocean Currents

• Wind. Wind is the single biggest factor in the creation of surface currents. …
• Water Density. Another major factor in the creation of currents is water density, caused by the amount of salt in a body of water, and its temperature. …
• Ocean Bottom Topography. …
• Coriolis Effect.

What are 3 factors that affect surface currents?

Surface currents are controlled by three factors: global winds, the Coriolis effect, and continental deflections.

What are surface currents?

Surface currents are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. These currents bring heat from the tropics to the polar regions; the Gulf Stream, for instance, brings warm water along the eastern coast of the US up to Northern Europe.

What are surface currents caused by from the wind?

In the Northern Hemisphere, for example, predictable winds called trade winds blow from east to west just above the equator. The winds pull surface water with them, creating currents. As these currents flow westward, the Coriolis effect—a force that results from the rotation of the Earth—deflects them.

What causes surface currents for kids?

Surface currents are usually caused by the wind. As the wind changes, the current may change as well. Currents are also influenced by the rotation of the Earth called the Coriolis effect. This causes currents to flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counter clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

How are surface ocean currents moved?

Surface currents are powered by the sun and driven by the wind. The sun drives the global wind systems on Earth. When this wind blows over the surface of the ocean, it causes waves to form and the water at the surface to move. The force of the wind pushing on the water results in what are known as surface currents.

What causes ocean currents quizlet?

A directional movement of ocean water; surface currents result from steady winds over the ocean surface; deep ocean currents result from density variations due to temperature and salinity differences.

Which factors affect the movement of ocean water?

characteristics like temperature, salinity, density and the external forces like of the sun, moon and the winds influence the movement of ocean water.

What causes ocean waves?

Waves are most commonly caused by wind. Wind-driven waves, or surface waves, are created by the friction between wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest.

What are the causes of currents?

Ocean currents are driven by wind, water density differences, and tides.
Oceanic currents are driven by three main factors:

• The rise and fall of the tides. …
• Wind. …
• Thermohaline circulation.

What are surface currents and how do they form?

Surface currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. Patterns of surface currents are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents.

What are the 3 causes of waves?

Waves are dependent on three major factors – wind speed, wind time and wind distance.

What is the motion of surface waves?

A surface wave is a wave that travels along the surface of a medium. Ocean waves are the best-known examples of surface waves. In a surface wave, particles of the medium move up and down as well as back and forth in an overall circular motion. The particles don’t actually move closer to shore as the waves pass through.

What are the 4 causes of waves?

Waves can be caused by a number of things, such as: earthquakes, volcano eruptions and landslides but the most common ones are surface waves caused by winds (CoastalCare). When wind blows across the surface of the water, this creates friction between the air and the water causing a wave to form (NOAA).

What are the 4 types of ocean waves?

There are different kinds of waves with four of them being: tsunamis, wind waves, ocean swells, and tidal waves.

What is the sound of waves called?

Sound is vibration that propagates a wave through transmission medium like gas, solid, liquid. As it tranamits through gases, plasma nd liquids like longitudinal waves, sound waves are called as longitudinal waves also. Sound ia produced by continuous and regular vibrations, as opposed to noise.

What are breaking waves called?

There are four basic types of breaking waves: spilling, plunging, collapsing, and surging.

What are big waves called?

Tsunami

A tsunami is an unusually long and large, destructive ocean wave caused by an earthquake, undersea volcanic eruption, earth movement, or other disturbance.

What is a female surfer called?

Wahine – Female surfer.

How do surfers surf?

The surfboard rotates until the buoyancy force through the center of mass of the displaced water is aligned with the gravity force on the surfer. As the board rotates, the center of buoyancy—the center of mass of the displaced water—moves toward the back of the board.