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Because of the spinning of the Earth, wind and ocean currents closest to the equator will travel straighter. Wind and ocean currents further from the equator will deflect away from the equator.Ê

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What direction do most of the surface currents north of the equator move?

The current north of the equator moves clockwise.


What factor causes surface currents north and south of the equator to move in different locations?

Surface currents are created by air currents, earth's rotation, and positions of the continents.


What is the general motion of surface currents in south of the equator?

counter clockwise


What Causes the wind and surface currents to turn?

The coriolis effect. The spinning of the Earth on it's axis necessarily produces a rotation in wind and water currents on the Earth's surface due to the fact that the equator moves at a faster rate of speed than any points approaching the poles. This creates a counterclockwise rotation of currents in the northern hemisphere and clockwise rotation south of the equator. It also creates a deflection of currents to the right north of the equator and a deflection to the left south of the equator, essentially causing the currents to deflect in a clockwise direction north of the equator and counterclockwise south of the equator (opposite their localized spin). Thus the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic currents around the Atlantic Ocean move clockwise around the ocean, yet hurricanes in the North Atlantic spin counterclockwise locally. Other factors such as change in surface heat (sea/land breezes) and gravity (sun and moon creating tidal currents) also exist.


What effect does the earth's rotation have on surface currents?

It causes them to deviate (different directions north and south of the equator) leading to the Coriolis effect.


What direction do surface currents near the equator?

Ocean currents flow near the equator from the east to west. Ocean currents flow near the poles from west to east.


What type of currents carry cold dense water from the poles toward the equator?

Surface currents


The surface ocean currents move heat energy away from where?

the equator


What is the general motion of surface currents south of the equator?

Counter clockwise


Compare the directions in which surface currents flow near the poles and near the equator?

Surface currents near the equator typically flow east to west, driven by the trade winds. Near the poles, surface currents flow from west to east, driven by the westerlies. The Coriolis effect influences the direction of surface currents in both regions.


What direction do surface currents near the equator flow?

Ocean currents flow near the equator from the east to west. Ocean currents flow near the poles from west to east.


How do surface currents transfer heat energy?

Surface currents transfer heat energy by redistributing warm water from the equator towards the poles and cold water from the poles towards the equator. This process helps regulate global temperature patterns and climate.