Unit 10 Review Key -Ocean Currents (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

5. Which direction does the Ekman spiral deflect wind-driven water in the northern hemisphere? _right__ in the

southern hemisphere? __left__

6. What is “western intensification?” and are currents stronger on the western or eastern sides of the oceans? Due to

the Coriolis Effect, currents on the western side of each ocean or ocean gyre are stronger, narrower, and deeper

than on the eastern side of each ocean or gyre. This means, for example, the the Gulf Stream and Kiroshio

currents are stronger and deeper than the California and Canary currents

7. What are some climate effects of warm water currents? They bring warm most air to northern latitudes, they

produce a warm humid coastal climate, they transport heat from the tropics to the northern latitudes, and they

have a moderating effect on the climate of adjacent land areas

8. What are some climate effects of cool water currents? They bring cool dry air to the adjacent coastlines, they

result in a dry coastal climate

9. What is the difference between upwelling and downwelling? Which brings nutrient rich water to the surface?

Upwelling brings cool nutrient-rich water to the surface and it occurs when surface currents flow away from land

along a coastline. Downwelling brings warm nutrient-poor waters to coastal areas and occurs when winds blow

towards land along a coastline.

10. Where is the Sargasso Sea and what currents surround it? The Saragasso Sea is located in the middle of the North

Atlantic Gyre and is surrounded by the Gulf Stream, North Atlantic, Canary, and North Equatorial Currents

11. What is the primary type of garbage in the North Pacific garbage patch? Plastic

12. What are longshore currents and rip currents? Longshore currents run parallel to coastlines and are responsible

for the formation of barrier islands. Rip currents are small currents running away from land and occur when two

waves converge along a beach.

El Nino-Southern Oscillation

13. Describe what happens to surface water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific during El Nino? The warm surface

waters of the western tropical Pacific move eastward towards the coast of South America because the western-

blowing trade winds reverse direction.

14. Describe what happens to surface water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific during La Nina? The western-

blowing tradewinds intensify which brings colder surface water to the equatorial Pacific

15. What does ENSO stand for? El Nino-Southern Oscillation

16. What are some climate effects of El Nino? Weather patterns reverse around the globe. The Desert Southwest gets

more rain than normal. Typhoons are more common in the Pacific and Hurricanes are less common in the

Atlantic. Fish and seabird populations crash off the coast of South America.

Unit 10 Review Key -Ocean Currents Page 2