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ocean currents intro worksheet
temperature affects and surface currents: surface waters of the earth’s oceans are forced to move, primarily by winds. where winds blow in the same direction for a long period of time, currents will develop that transport large masses of water over considerable distances across ocean surfaces. why do ocean currents and global winds move in a circular pattern? the circular pattern is caused by the coriolis effect. the earth’s rotation on its axis causes ocean currents and winds to curve to the right (clockwise direction) in the northern hemisphere and to the left (counter clockwise direction) in the southern hemisphere. as the winds and currents move, the earth rotates underneath them. the currents appear to curve in relation to the earth’s surface. if the earth did not spin on its axis then the currents and winds would appear to move in a straight direction.
part i:
compare the two pictures below (surface ocean currents and global wind patterns).
global wind patterns
ocean surface current patterns
questions:

1. take a look at the two pictures above. what do you notice about the global wind and surface current patterns? in general, the direction of the wind flows in the ______________ direction as the ocean surface currents.
2. the global winds in the first map generally travel in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. look at the global winds and compare the general direction of flow in the northern hemisphere with the general direction in the southern hemisphere.

a. in the northern hemisphere the general direction is
b. in the southern hemisphere the general direction is
c. the difference in direction is caused by the ____________ ____________.

Explanation:

1. By visually comparing the "Global Wind Patterns" and "Ocean Surface Current Patterns" maps, we observe that the direction of wind flow is generally the same as that of ocean surface currents. This is because surface ocean currents are primarily driven by winds.
2. a. From the "Global Wind Patterns" map, in the Northern Hemisphere, the general direction of wind flow (and thus related current patterns influenced by wind and Coriolis) is clockwise. This is due to the Coriolis Effect deflecting objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.

b. In the Southern Hemisphere, the general direction is counter - clockwise as the Coriolis Effect deflects objects to the left here.
c. The difference in direction between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres for winds (and related currents) is caused by the Coriolis Effect, which is a result of the Earth's rotation on its axis.

Answer:

1. same
2. a. clockwise

b. counter - clockwise
c. Coriolis Effect