Monday, May 27, 2013

Chapter 10: Hydrosphere: Circulation of the World Ocean

Out to Sea


Currents, like the ones seen flowing in the photo can be generated via a number of ways. The first way is through water accumulating by the coastline, resulting in a slightly elevated sea level than the ocean surrounding. Next, variation in the density of seawater plays a role in affecting deeper zones beneath the surface layer, and the foremost source of ocean currents is the frictional drag on the surface of the water. With the water subject to its force, Coriolis then manoeuvres surface currents to flow at angles of 45 degrees right or left depending on the hemisphere (North and South).  

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