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What are the causes of ocean currents?

      

Give the causes of ocean currents.

  

Answers


Maurice
(i) Shape of coastal land mass.

(ii) Rotation of the earth.

(iii) Differences in ocean water density or salinity.

(iv) Winds blowing over the ocean.

(v) Differences in ocean water temperatures.

Describe the causes of ocean currents

Winds
Prevailing winds such as the trade winds blow all year round. The friction created between the winds causes the mass of surface sea water to move in the direction they are blowing to. The ocean currents created are called drift currents.

Earth's rotation
Rotation of the earth affects direction of winds and that of ocean currents. In the Northern hemisphere, the winds and ocean currents are deflected to the right while in the Southern hemisphere are deflected to the left. This phenomenon is referred to as coriolis effect.

Shape of the landmass.
When a current flows from the ocean towards a landmass, it changes direction and flows along the outline of the landmass. In other cases a current may be split into two by a landmass when it meets. When a current flows through a constricted area like an island and a landmass, it's velocity is increased on leaving the area of constriction.
maurice.mutuku answered the question on June 8, 2017 at 06:59


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