Ocean Currents

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Ocean Currents

• Objective
• How does the temperature affect the oceans
  currents?

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Oceans Video

• http//www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id
  173915titleExploring_Oceansvpkey

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Ocean Currents

• Movement in ocean water caused by temperature,
  wind, and the moons gravity

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Surface Currents

• Near the top of the ocean and are caused by winds

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Deep Currents

• Movement deep below the oceans surface caused by
  changes in density (water temperature) and
  salinity (amount of salt)
• Hot water is LESS dense and will always rise
  above cold water

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Global Conveyor Belt

• Deep water current

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How do currents affect climates?
Warm

• ______ currents mean warm climate

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Cold currents bring in _______ climates
Cooler
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Day time
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Night time
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Reality Check

• How does the temperature affect the oceans
  currents?

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• 1.Which best explains the cause of currents that
  move north from the equator?
• A Cold water at the poles rises and moves toward
  the tropics.
• B Warm water at the equator rises and moves
  toward the poles.
• C Warm water near the coastline rises and moves
  toward the poles.
• D Cold water deep in the ocean rises and moves
  toward the tropics.

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2.The Gulf Stream is a warm water current that
begins in the Gulf of Mexico. A diagram of the
Gulf Stream is shown below.

• Which best describes the movement of the Gulf
  Stream?
• A Cold currents carry cold water from the polar
  zones toward the equator.
• B Warm currents carry warm water from the tropics
  toward the poles.
• C Warm currents carry cold water from the tropics
  toward the poles.
• D Cold currents carry warm water from the polar
  zones toward the equator.

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• 3.Which most likely causes the movement of warm
  surface ocean currents?
• A Sunlight heats air forming strong winds that
  push currents.
• B Low and high tides create energy for current
  movement.
• C Shifting ocean plates force water toward the
  poles.
• D Warm waters help in the melting of icebergs and
  glaciers.

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• 4. Ocean currents bring deep, nutrient-rich water
  to the surface. What causes these currents to
  move upward?
• A Warm rainwater mixes with surface water,
  pushing deep water upward.
• B Cold surface water from the poles sinks,
  pushing deep water upward.
• C Wind currents cause surface water to sink,
  pushing deep water upward.
• D Surface runoff from rivers causes warm water to
  sink, pushing deep water upward.

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Reality Check

• How does the temperature affect the oceans
  currents?