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Science Oceans pt. 2
Science Oceans
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Surface Current | A horizontal movement of ocean water that is caused by wind, and that occurs at or near the oceans surface. |
Deep Current | A stream-like movement of ocean water far below the surface. |
Trade Winds | Global winds between 0 degrees and 30 degrees latitude. |
Westerlies | Global winds between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude. |
Coriolis Effect | The curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to Earth's rotation. |
Gyre | A huge circle of moving ocean water found above and below the equator. |
Sargasso Sea | A vast area of calm, warm water in the middle of the North Atlantic Gyre. Named after Sargassum, a type of seaweed that floats on the water. |
Antarctic Circumpolar Current | Worlds largest current, also called the West Wind Drift. Cold current; surface current |
Equatorial Countercurrent | Weak, eastward - flowing current that runs int he opposite direction of the equatorial currents. Warm current; surface current |
Gulf Stream | Fast moving, warm surface current that flows up along the East Coast of the US |
North Atlantic Current | Follows from the Gulf Stream. Warm surface current. |
Antarctic Bottom Water | Cold, deep current. Slow moving. Moves northward along the bottom of the ocean from Antarctica. |