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The rotation of the Earth, coupled with the difference in temperature between the air and water, creates currents. Warm air and sea tend to flow towards the poles where the cooled air then flows back towards the equator. Land obstructions cause the currents to alter their course. The air is faster to warm up and cool down than the oceans, with surface water being affected more quickly than the deeper water.

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Which direction do global winds blow ocean currents near the equator?

On the average, it most often blow horizontally.


Where do global winds move cold air?

Ocean currents form


What are three factors that affect the surface ocean currents?

Continental deflections,the Coriolis effect and global winds all effect surface ocean currents.


The winds that are most involved in forming ocean currents are the?

The winds most involved in forming ocean currents are the global wind patterns, such as the trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies. These winds drive the surface waters of the oceans, creating ocean currents that can transport heat, nutrients, and marine life around the globe.


Do global winds directly cause deep currents?

Global winds do not directly cause deep currents. Deep ocean currents are primarily driven by differences in water density, which are influenced by temperature and salinity. While global winds can indirectly affect the distribution and movement of deep currents through their impact on surface currents and mixing processes, they are not the primary driving force.


What are three ways ocean currents are formed?

global winds, coriolis effect, and continental deflections


What six factors affect ocean currents?

Global Winds, Earth´s Rotation, and Water Temperature


What are the three factors that affect the ocean?

Continental deflections,the Coriolis effect and global winds all effect surface ocean currents.


In what direction do global winds and currents flow near the equator?

westward


What would happen to earth climates if all ocean currents and global winds stopped?

it would be more hot and the ocean would be warmer or coller


The relationship between surface ocean currents and global winds?

Surface ocean currents are primarily driven by global winds, as the friction between the wind and the ocean's surface propels water in the direction of the wind. The Earth's rotation also influences these currents through the Coriolis effect, causing them to curve rather than flow in a straight line. This interaction creates large-scale circular patterns known as gyres in the ocean, which play a crucial role in regulating climate and distributing heat across the planet. Ultimately, the relationship between surface ocean currents and global winds is essential for maintaining the Earth's climate system.


What factors play a large role in determining climate?

Global winds, insolation, large bodies of water and ocean currents.