Current Events 

Background Information

Currents are large moving rivers of water in the ocean.  These movements of ocean water move in a particular direction.  Oceans are in continual motion due to the spinning of the earth, the gravitational attraction of the moon, surface winds, and heating by the sun.  Ocean currents occur on and below the ocean surface.  Ocean currents on the surface are basically caused by winds.  Deep ocean currents are caused by the uneven heating of ocean water by the sun.  Uneven heating of ocean water also causes some areas to have higher salt content, causing a circular current.

There are three different kinds of currents, depending on their origins.

1. density currents - caused by differences in temperature and salinity of nearby water

2. wind currents - caused by motion of prevailing winds

3. tidal currents - produced by the ebb and flow of tides

North hemisphere currents move toward the right.  Southern hemisphere currents move to the left. Saltier water is heavy and sinks.  Less salty water moves over it.  When salty water meets less salty water, a current is formed.

Cold water currents carry cold water away from the North Pole and the South Pole.  Most of the east coast is affected by warm water currents, and most of west coast is affected by cold water currents.

Ocean movements are classified as current, tidal and wave.

Waves are caused by the rising and falling of ocean water.

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