GEO 125

Physical Geography

Global Models:  Ocean Currents

The earth's surface distribution of land and water

• Surface area of the world ocean

• Surface area of the continents

The role of the world ocean in global heat transfers as compared to the atmosphere

• 13% of the global heat transfers take place in the atmosphere

• 87% of the global heat transfers take place in the oceans

Relationships between global wind belts and ocean currents

• Importance of the subtropical gyre

• Importance of the subpolar gyre

Location of currents in conjunction with the subtropical gyre

• Warm water currents off of the east coast of continents

• Cold water currents off the west coast of continents

Location of currents in conjunction with the subpolar gyre

• Warm water currents off of the west coast of continents

• Cold water currents off the east coast of continents

Major surface ocean currents of the North Atlantic Ocean Basin

• Gulf Stream (warm water current)

• North Atlantic Drift (warm water current)

• Canaries current ( cold water current)

Major surface ocean currents of the North Pacific Ocean Basin

• Japan current (warm water current)

• Alaska current (warm water current)

• California current (cold water current)

Major influences of ocean currents

• Warm water currents (warmer temperatures and humid conditions

• Cold water currents (cooler temperatures and arid conditions)

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