Ag Earth Science – Chapter 16.1 – Oceanic Circulation
16.1 Vocabulary
Word
Ocean current
Surface current
gyre
Coriolis effect
upwelling
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Definition
Paraphrase
Picture
Density current
I.
Surface Circulation
A.
Ocean Currents –
B.
Surface Currents –
1.
C.
Gyres –
1.
Coriolis Effect –
a.
Because of the Earth’s rotation, currents are deflected to ________ in the
Northern Hemisphere and to the _________ in the Southern Hemisphere.
D.
E.
F.
Upwelling –
1.
II.
Upwelling brings greater concentrations of dissolved nutrients, such as nitrates
and phosphates, to the ocean surface.
Deep-Ocean Circulation
A.
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Density Currents –
1.
Cold, salty water is more dense than warmer water, so it drops down vertically
into the depths of the ocean and is replaced by less dense water.
2.
Evaporation of ocean water in warm surface areas also can increase salinity
(density) and causes the denser water to drop and be replaced by less dense
water.
III. Conveyor Belt Model
A.
Simplified Model of Ocean Circulation
a. Travels from Atlantic Ocean through Indian and Pacific Oceans and back again.
1.
2.
3.
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