Ocean Current Vocabulary Flashcard

Front

The movement of deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water to the surface, often along coastlines.

Back

Upwelling

Front

A large volume of water flowing in a certain direction

Back

ocean current

Front

What is defined as 0 degrees longitude?

Back

Prime Meridian

Front

Which term describes wind-driven currents?

Back

surface currents

Front

What is the large, circular surface-current pattern found in each ocean called?

Back

gyre

Front

What is a constantly moving system of deep-ocean circulation driven by differences in density caused by temperature and salinity, also known as 'thermohaline circulation'?

Back

The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt

Front

What is located at 0 degrees latitude, where the Sun's rays are the most intense?

Back

Equator

Front

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents is known as the ____.

Back

Coriolis effect

Front

What is the name of the warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico northward through the Atlantic Ocean along the Eastern coast of North America?

Back

Gulf Stream

Front

Fill in the blank: The _______ is a warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico northward through the Atlantic Ocean.

Back

Gulf Stream