ESCI D.S4.O3.A5 Ocean Energy Flow

Currents in the ocean have a huge effect on the weather patterns of the world. The warm equatorial waters carried north by the Gulf Stream cause Iceland, which borders the Arctic Circle, to have much more mild winters than other locations at similar latitudes. On the other hand, the cold polar waters that flow down the West coast of the United States means that swimming in the ocean in California can be uncomfortably cold, even at the height of Summer.

Below you will find a link to a page with an animated model of the world's ocean currents. If you move your mouse over the image, it will also show you the global wind patterns. The blue arrows represent flows of water that are colder than surrounding seas. The red arrows represent currents that are warmer than the seas they flow through.

Your Assignment:  Familiarize yourself with this model and then answer the questions below with complete sentences (number your responses, please).

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2401/es2401page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization Links to an external site.

1. In general, do warm currents flow towards or away from the Equator?
2. In general, do cool currents flow towards or away from the Equator?
3. Describe the relationship energy and the directions of ocean surface currents.
4. If you wanted to live where you would find warmer water at the beaches, would you want to live on the East or West coast of North or South America?