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Circulation Patterns, Currents, & Wind

Circulation Patterns, Currents, & Wind. Coriolis Effect. Since the Earth is rotating; anything that moves over its surface tends to turn a little to one side rather than moving in a straight line Deflects large scale motion in the Northern Hemisphere to the right

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Circulation Patterns, Currents, & Wind

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  1. Circulation Patterns, Currents, & Wind

  2. CoriolisEffect • Since the Earth is rotating; anything that moves over its surface tends to turn a little to one side rather than moving in a straight line • Deflects large scale motion in the Northern Hemisphere to the right • Deflects motion to the left in Southern Hemisphere

  3. Surface Currents • Major wind fields of atmosphere that push sea surface creating currents • All major currents of the open ocean are driven by wind • Equatorial currents are driven by the trade winds and move parallel to the equator • Gyres- large circular system of surface currents influenced by global wind patterns and the Coriolis Effect

  4. Surface Current Picture

  5. Wind Patterns • Affected by density of air molecules (hot air rises, cold air sinks) • Driven by heat energy from the sun (convection currents) • Air is warmer at the equator and colder at the poles

  6. Trade Winds • Approach the equator at about a45o angle • Lie 30oN and 30oS of the equator • Steadiest of all winds

  7. Westerlies • Move opposite the trade winds • From 30o-60o N or S

  8. Polar Easterlies • At high latitudes above 60oN or below 60oS • Most variable winds

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