Ocean Currents

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What are ocean currents?

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Ocean currents are large-scale movements of seawater that flow through the oceans, driven by factors such as wind, temperature, and salinity.

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What are surface currents?

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Surface currents are ocean currents that occur in the upper layer of the ocean, typically less than 100 meters deep, and are primarily driven by wind.

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What are deep currents?

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Deep currents are movements of ocean water located far below the surface, driven by differences in water density due to temperature and salinity.

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What causes convection currents in the ocean?

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Convection currents in the ocean are caused by the heating of surface water by the sun, which leads to the cooling and sinking of denser water.

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What is the Coriolis Effect?

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The Coriolis Effect is the deflection of moving objects, such as ocean currents, caused by the rotation of the Earth.

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What is continental deflection?

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Continental deflection refers to the change in direction of ocean currents when they encounter landmasses, altering their flow.

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What role do surface winds play in ocean currents?

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Surface winds drive the movement of surface currents by exerting friction on the water's surface, causing it to flow.

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What is upwelling?

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Upwelling is the process where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, often supporting marine life.

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How does temperature affect ocean currents?

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Temperature affects ocean currents by influencing water density; warmer water is less dense and tends to rise, while cooler water is denser and sinks.

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What is salinity?

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Salinity is the concentration of dissolved salts in water, which affects water density and, consequently, ocean currents.