Ocean currents - 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. water density is affected by the temperature, salinity (saltiness), and depth of the water. the colder and saltier the ocean water, the denser it is. the greater the density differences between different layers in the water column, the greater the mixing and circulation. density differences in ocean water contribute to a global-scale circulation system, also called the global conveyor belt. the global conveyor belt includes both surface and deep ocean currents that circulate the globe in a 1,000-year cycle.
find the kuroshio current in the map. the kuroshio current is analogous to the gulf stream in the atlantic ocean. what type of circulation pattern do you see in both currents and why?
a) both currents create convection cells in the northern hemisphere due to the changes in wind patterns as one progresses north through the latitudes.
b) both currents transport ocean waters from west to east. the movement associated with these currents is due to earth's spin o its axis and the coriolis effect.
c) both transport cold, denser water north to the polar regions. unequal heating of the oceans causes cold, dense water to travel north and warm, less dense water to travel south.
d) both transport warm, tropical water northward toward the polar region. the uneven heat energy balance on earth is responsible for uneven heating of water throughout earth's latitudes.