Get premium membership and access questions with answers, video lessons as well as revision papers.
(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
- What are tides?(Solved)
Describe tides.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the factors influencing the development of coasts?(Solved)
Discuss factors that influence the development of coasts.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- What is the difference between a barrier reef and a fringing reef?(Solved)
Differentiate between a barrier reef and a fringing reef.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- How does depth of the sea influence wave deposition?(Solved)
Describe how depth of the sea influences wave deposition.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- Apart from Bird's Foot delta, what are the other types of coastal deltas?(Solved)
Apart from Bird's Foot delta,give other types of coastal deltas.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- How is a Bird's Foot delta formed?(Solved)
Describe how a Bird's Foot delta is formed.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- How does the gradient of the shore influence wave deposition?(Solved)
Describe how the gradient of the shore influences wave deposition.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- What is a backwash?(Solved)
Describe a backwash.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the processes involved in marine erosion?(Solved)
Discuss the processes involved in marine erosion.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the conditions necessary for the formation of a beach?(Solved)
List the conditions necessary for the formation of a beach.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- In which ways does the coral contribute to the economic development of Kenya?(Solved)
Discuss ways in which coral contributes to the economic development of Kenya.
Date posted: June 8, 2017. Answers (1)
- How does the nature of material transported by waves determine the effectiveness of the wave erosion along the coast?(Solved)
Describe how the nature of material transported by waves determines the effectiveness of the wave erosion along the coast.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)
- How does the nature of the coastal rocks determine the effectiveness of wave erosion along the coast?(Solved)
Discuss how the nature of the coastal rocks determines the effectiveness of wave erosion along the coast.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the types of submerged coasts?(Solved)
List types of submerged coasts.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the features forming as a result of submergence of coasts?(Solved)
Give the features forming as a result of submergence of coasts.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)
- What causes submergence of coasts?(Solved)
List the causes of submergence of coasts.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the characteristics of a river in its middle stage?(Solved)
Highlight the characteristics of a river in its middle stage.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)
- What is abrasion as a process of river erosion?(Solved)
Discuss abrasion as a process of river erosion.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the negative effects of rivers to the human environment?(Solved)
Discuss the negative effects of rivers to the human environment.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)
- What is Attrition as a process of river erosion?(Solved)
Describe Attribution as a process of river erosion.
Date posted: June 7, 2017. Answers (1)