Coasts - Theme 2 - CURRENTS

Question 1

What are the two currents in the ocean

Answer 1

-Surface and deep

Question 2

What are currents driven by

Answer 2

-Wind

Question 3

What are the movements of currents

Answer 3

-horizontal or vertical

Question 4

What are horizontal currents

Answer 4

-Short term currents - rip currents and longshore currents

Question 5

What are vertical currents

Answer 5

• known as UPWELLING CURRENTS
• cold water is more dense moves upwards
• warm water is less dense moves downwards

Question 6

What is the global converyer belt

Answer 6

• warm surface currents taking warm water from equator to poles
• cool surface currents taking cool water from poles to equator
• REGULATES WEATHER, CLIMATE, CYCLING NUTRIENTS AND GASES

Question 7

What is a gyre

Answer 7

-Circular movement of water

Question 8

What is a longshore current

Answer 8

• waves dont hit coastline head on but on an angle
• current parrel to the shore
• moves accross the surf zone with the sediment

Question 9

What is a rip current

Answer 9

• strong current moving away from the shore

- seawater piles on the coast - the breaking waves pushes the built up water underneath creating a strong current

Question 10

What is upwelling

Answer 10

• Vertical movement of water
• cold water is more dense so moves up
• warm water is less dense so moves down
• important in global conveyor