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Surface currents affect the climate by the force of the wind and water temperatures and that's what affects the climate.

If you want to get into the details:

The world's ocean is crucial to heating the planet. While land areas and the atmosphere absorb some sunlight, the majority of the sun's radiation is absorbed by the ocean. Particularly in the tropical waters around the equator, the ocean acts a as massive, heat-retaining solar panel. Earth's atmosphere also plays a part in this process, helping to retain heat that would otherwise quickly radiate into space after sunset. The ocean doesn't just store solar radiation; it also helps to distribute heat around the globe. When water molecules are heated, they exchange freely with the air in a process called evaporation. Ocean water is constantly evaporating, increasing the temperature and humidity of the surrounding air to form rain and storms that are then carried by trade winds, often vast distances. In fact, almost all rain that falls on land starts off in the ocean. The tropics are particularly rainy because heat absorption, and thus ocean evaporation, is highest in this area. Outside of Earth's equatorial areas, weather patterns are driven largely by ocean currents. Currents are movements of ocean water in a continuous flow, created largely by surface winds but also partly by temperature and salinity gradients, Earth's rotation, and tides (the gravitational effects of the sun and moon). Major current systems typically flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere, in circular patterns that often trace the coastlines. Ocean currents act much like a conveyer belt, transporting warm water and precipitation from the equator toward the poles and cold water from the poles back to the tropics. Thus, currents regulate global climate, helping to counteract the uneven distribution of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface. Without currents, regional temperatures would be more extreme-super hot at the equator and frigid toward the poles-and much less of Earth's land would be habitable.

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How does currents affect the coriolis effect?

The coriolis effect makes ocean currents move in a curved path.


How does the ocean current effect the climate?

The ocean water's temperatures may change climate by evaporating into the air, as the currents are moving to areas, and the water may stay in the air, making climates hotter and muggier. :D


What effects do deeps currents have?

Deep ocean currents have enormous effect on climatic conditions. Deep ocean currents are also known as conveyor belt for temperature. There are two types of water currents, cold and warm. The warm water currents are less dense than cold water currents.


When you consider currents and their effects on climate what characteristic of a current is important in affecting climate?

The temperature of a current is a key characteristic that affects climate. Warm currents can transfer heat to the atmosphere, leading to higher temperatures in surrounding areas, while cold currents can have a cooling effect. This can influence weather patterns and precipitation levels in regions where the currents flow.


What is the relationship between convection currents in the ocean and convection currents in the atmosphere?

Which best explains the relationship between ocean currents and convection currents?(1 point) Responses Convection currents join with the Coriolis effect to create the winds that drive ocean currents. Convection currents join with the Coriolis effect to create the winds that drive ocean currents. Ocean currents rely on warm convection currents to strength the Coriolis effect. Ocean currents rely on warm convection currents to strength the Coriolis effect. Ocean currents create a Coriolis effect that increases convection currents. Ocean currents create a Coriolis effect that increases convection currents. Convection currents use the Coriolis effect to generate ocean currents.

Related Questions

How do warm-water currents influence climate?

The Warm and Cold water currents effect Earth's climate. The water currents bring cold artic water to the equator, and the warm water from the equater frows to the artic. This heat traveling in the water ceeps plases such as Europe from freezing over.


What are stream like movements of water that have a large effect on an area's climate?

Ocean currents or perhaps gyres.


How do warm water currents influence climate?

The Warm and Cold water currents effect Earth's climate. The water currents bring cold artic water to the equator, and the warm water from the equater frows to the artic. This heat traveling in the water ceeps plases such as Europe from freezing over.


What is cold-water currents and climate?

Cold water currents are currents which flow deep along the ocean floor. Cold water currents can cause temperature changes which in return can have a major impact on the overall climate of the Earth.


How does the latitiude effect the climate?

mostly becaus of the sea currents


What can effect the climate of an area?

well,the ocean currents can eventually effect the climat of an area


How water currents affect climate?

The warm water currents in the ocean make the atmosphere warmer hence the climate of those regions become warmer.


How does currents affect the coriolis effect?

The coriolis effect makes ocean currents move in a curved path.


What is current and climate?

Cold water currents are currents which flow deep along the ocean floor. Cold water currents can cause temperature changes which in return can have a major impact on the overall climate of the Earth.


What is one sudden climate change?

water currents


Important result of Currents?

Currents have a dramatic effect on the climate of the Earth. Also, they assist many marine animals with their migration patterns.


How does oceans influence climate?

Places that are located near the warm water currents will have a warmer climate than places that are near the cold water currents. if this is for FLVS it is 100% positive it is right