Ocean Circulation

1
Ocean Circulation
2
Reviewgeneral circulation in the atmosphere
3
Review
Draw a diagram illustrating the vertical
circulation of air in the atmosphere

• Include
• Direction of air movement between the following
  latitudes (0-30o, 30-60o, 60-90o)
  
• Location of high (H) and low (L) pressure
  conditions
  
• Location of Hadley cells
• If time allows
• Include location of easterly (trade) winds and
  westerly winds in the latitudinal zones given
  above

4
Average Annual Precipitation
Image source Christopherson, 2001
Elemental Geosystems. John Wiley Sons
5
Ocean Circulation

• Two dimensions (as in the atmosphere)
• Surface currents (gyres)
• Vertical currents (upwelling, downwelling)

6
Ocean circulation surface currents
gyres
Arbogast, Fig 6.28
7
Ocean circulation surface currents
Arbogast, Fig 6.28
8
Average Annual Precipitation
Image source Christopherson, 2001
Elemental Geosystems. John Wiley Sons
9
Ocean circulation vertical patterns
Arbogast, Fig 6.30
10
Ocean circulation vertical patterns
thermohaline circulation
Image source Christopherson, 2001. Elemental
Geosystems. John Wiley Sons
11
All of the following locations are characterized
by abundant precipitation except

• Areas located in the equatorial region
• Areas located in the polar regions
• Areas located at 60o N
• Areas along the east coasts of continents

12
Average Annual Precipitation
Image source Christopherson, 2001
Elemental Geosystems. John Wiley Sons
13
Coupling of the oceans atmosphere
Teleconnections recurring and persistent,
large-scale pattern of pressure and circulation
anomalies that spans vast geographical areas .
14
L
15
Pacific Ocean Circulation
Image source http//www.sbg.ac.at/ipk/avstudio/pi
erofun/atmo/elnino.htm

16
Pacific Ocean Circulation anomoly
17
El Niño
Arbogast, Fig 6.31
18
El Niño effects

• Reduction in cold water upwelling off of the
  Peruvian coast
  
• Reversal of the equatorial trade winds
• Dry conditions over northern Australia, western
  Pacific
  
• Wet conditions over northwestern So. America and
  southwestern U.S.
  
• Widespread flooding, drought, famine

19
Midterm Exam

• During class period, Thursday 2/28
• Covers weeks 1-7 (Chapters 1-7, 9 pgs 249-59)
• Review session tonight (Tuesday 2/26)
  730-900pm, L207
  
• Were available during office hours for help!