An ocean current can be defined as any continuous flow of water along a definite path in the ocean. 

Ocean currents of the earth.

 

                                                                                                          

  

It is important to know the direction and speed of ocean currents as they can influence many natural and man-made ocean conditions.

Predicting Oil spills flow. Aid in marine search and rescues. 

  Predicting storm tracks.

  Predicting the movement of icebergs.

Finding fishing locations and migration patterns. Migration is a seasonal movement from one place to another for a reason

SURFACE CURRENTSHorizontal movement in the upper waters of the oceans that are usually made by wind. Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic Current, the California Current, the Atlantic South Equatorial Current, and the Westwind Drift

SURFACE CURRENTS ARE CONTROLLED BY 3 FACTORS.GLOBAL WINDS

CORIOLIS EFFECTCONTINENTAL DEFLECTIONS

THE MOVEMENT OF AIR ACROSS THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH DUE TO UNEQUAL TEMPERATURES.

WIND

GLOBAL WINDS CERTAIN WIND PATTERNS THAT OCCUR WORLD WIDE AND CREATE CURRENTS IN PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS.

GLOBAL WINDS

AS SURFACE CURRENTS HEAT UP AT THE EQUATOR. THE EQUATOR DIVIDES THE EARTH INTO NORTH AND SOUTH HEMISPHERES. ON AVERAGE IT IS THE HOTTEST PLACE ON EARTH

CORIOLIS EFFECTDue to the Earth spinning, surface waters and wind move in a counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in a clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere.   

CORIOLIS EFFECTThis effect is caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Winds in the northern hemisphere blow counterclockwise and winds in the southern hemisphere blow clockwise.

CONTINENTAL DEFLECTION

WHEN SURFACE CURRENTS STRIKE A CONTINENT, THEY CHANGE DIRECTION DUE TO SOME FORCE OR DEFLECT.

THOR HEYERDAHL

A NORWEGIAN EXPLORER WHO IN THE 1940S TRIED TO SOLVE HUMAN MIGRATION ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN. HE THIS BY USING A RAFT KNOWN AS THE KON-TIKI, LEAVING PERU TO MAKE HIS WAY TO POLYNESIA.

TRADE WINDS

Global winds that flow from the east to the west found in the tropics near the equator. THEY WERE USED BY SAILORS FOR CENTURIES TO CROSS THE OCEANS BY SHIP.

DOLDRUMSLocated between 5 North and 5 South of the equator. This is also called the “equatorial calms” because of the little or no wind in the area. THEY ARE KNOW FOR TRAPPING SAILING SHIPS FOR DAYS OR LONGER WITHOUT ENOUGH WIND TO POWER THEIR SAILS.

The currents eventually come into contact with the continents which deflect them, creating giant oceanic current circles known as gyres.

DEEP CURRENTS (Thermohaline)

They currents are vertical and are caused by changes in density which is determined by temperature and salinity of the water. 

DENSITY IS THE AMOUNT OF MATTER IN A GIVEN SPACE, OR VOLUME.

SALINITY IS THE AMOUNT OF SALT FOUND IN THE WATER.

THE MORE DENSE THE WATER IS, IT WILL SINK. THE LESS DENSE WATER IS IT WILL RISE.THE RISING AND SINKING OF WATER DUE TO TEMPERATURE IS CALLED A CONVECTION CURRENT