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These deep-ocean currents are driven by differences in the water's density, which is controlled by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline). This process is known as thermohaline circulation. In the Earth's polar regions ocean water gets very cold, forming sea ice.
- What causes deep ocean currents to flow?
- How does deep ocean currents occur?
- What causes surface currents and deep currents?
- Where are deep ocean currents?
- How does deep circulation differ from surface wind-driven circulation?
- How do deep ocean currents form for kids?
- How do deep density driven currents affect Earth's climate?
- How do deep water currents move?
- How are the surface and deep ocean currents different?
- Where does all deep water in the world's oceans originate?
- What are surface currents caused by?
- What process brings the deep cold ocean currents up to the surface?
- What is ocean current wind driven circulation?
- Is ocean circulation driven by wind?
- What causes swells in the ocean?
- What is ocean circulation for kids?
What causes deep ocean currents to flow?
Ocean currents can be caused by wind, density differences in water masses caused by temperature and salinity variations, gravity, and events such as earthquakes or storms. ... These currents move water masses through the deep ocean—taking nutrients, oxygen, and heat with them.
How does deep ocean currents occur?
Deep ocean currents (also known as Thermohaline Circulation) are caused by: ... The sinking and transport of large masses of cool water gives rise to the thermohaline circulation, which is driven by density gradients due to variations in temperature and salinity. The earth's rotation also influences deep ocean currents.
What causes surface currents and deep currents?
There are many factors that cause ocean currents. Deep currents are driven by temperature and water density/salinity. ... Surface currents are also driven by global wind systems fueled by energy from the sun. Factors like wind direction and the Coriolis effect play a role.
Where are deep ocean currents?
Thus, deep currents generally occur in the higher latitude regions of the Earth, such as North Atlantic Deep Water and Antarctic Bottom Water, and from these frigid poleward regions the deep currents flow at a relatively slow pace towards the equator.
How does deep circulation differ from surface wind-driven circulation?
How does deep circulation differ from surface wind-driven circulation? Deep circulation is water & motion caused by mixing water of differing densities. ... It flows along the bottom mixes with other water rises and warms and eventually becomes part of a surface current.
How do deep ocean currents form for kids?
Water that is of a lower temperature or a higher salinity has a greater density, and sinks to the ocean floor. It is replaced by surface water, which then becomes cold and/or salty. This creates a system of deep-water and surface currents circulating around the globe.
How do deep density driven currents affect Earth's climate?
The deep (density) ocean currents also have a strong effect on Earth's climate. Water in the North Atlantic Ocean is cold and salty. This colder, salty water sinks because of its greater density. ... This may cause the global flow of ocean water to slow, drastically changing Earth's climate.
How do deep water currents move?
Deep water currents move slowly and predictably across the globe in a cyclical system often called the "Global Conveyor Belt." ... Cold, dense water at the poles becomes warm and less dense at the equator, and then it becomes cold and dense again as it reaches the opposite pole.
How are the surface and deep ocean currents different?
Surface ocean currents can occur on local and global scales and are typically wind-driven, resulting in both horizontal and vertical water movement. ... Deep ocean currents are density-driven and differ from surface currents in scale, speed, and energy.
Where does all deep water in the world's oceans originate?
The biggest source of deep water is surface water that sinks in the North Atlantic Ocean. Here, ocean water can become very cold and very salty. This cold, salty water can be dense enough to sink into the depths of the ocean. Remember, the saltier and colder water is, the more dense it is!
What are surface currents caused by?
Surface currents are created by three things: global wind patterns, the rotation of the Earth, and the shape of the ocean basins. Surface currents are extremely important because they distribute heat around the planet and are a major factor influencing climate around the globe.
What process brings the deep cold ocean currents up to the surface?
Upwelling currents bring cold nutrient-rich waters from the ocean bottom to the surface, supporting many of the most important fisheries and ecosystems in the world.
What is ocean current wind driven circulation?
Wind driven circulation describes the process in which winds moving along the surface of the ocean push the water in their direction and create currents near the surface. ... There are many large circulating patterns in the open ocean, driven by the Coriolis Effect. These ciruclating patterns are called gyres.
Is ocean circulation driven by wind?
Large-scale, surface ocean currents are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. These currents transfer heat from the tropics to the Polar Regions, influencing local and global climate.
What causes swells in the ocean?
All swells are created by wind blowing over the surface of the ocean. As wind blows, waves begin to form. ... When winds blows very strong, for a long time, over vast distances (i.e. storms), the distance between waves becomes longer and the energy driving the waves becomes greater.
What is ocean circulation for kids?
An ocean current is a continuous movement of ocean water from one place to another. Ocean currents are created by wind, water temperature, salt content, and the gravity of the moon. The current's direction and speed depend on the shoreline and the ocean floor.
