2. Ocean Current Mass of ocean water that flows from one place to another.
3. Surface Current Movement of water that flows horizontally in the upper part of the ocean’s surface.
4. Gyre The large circular surface current pattern found in each ocean.
5. Coriolis Effect The apparent deflective force of Earth's rotation on all free moving objects, including the atmosphere and oceans; Deflection is to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
6. Upwelling The rising of cold water from deeper layers to replace warmer surface water that has been moved away.
7. Density Current Current of ocean water that results from density differences among water masses.
8. Key Concept How do surface currents develop? Surface currents develop from friction between the ocean and the wind that blows across its surface.
9. Key Concept How do ocean currents affect climate? When currents from low-latitude regions move into higher latitudes, they transfer heat from warmer to cooler areas on Earth.
10. Key Concept Why is upwelling important? Upwelling brings greater concentrations of dissolved nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates, to the ocean surface.
11. Key Concept How are density currents formed? An increase in seawater density can be caused by a decrease in temperature or an increase in salinity.
