Air currents, earth's rotation and the location of the continents. <<< textbook source!
Surface currents are driven by a combination of factors, including wind patterns created by the movement of the atmosphere. Wind blowing over the surface of the ocean generates friction, causing water to move in the direction of the wind. This creates surface currents that can influence weather patterns and ocean circulation.
The three factors that control the path of a surface current are wind direction, the Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect), and the shape of the coastline or the presence of land masses. These factors influence the direction and strength of surface currents in the ocean.
Surface Currents.
The movement of water on the surface of seas and oceans is called surface currents. These currents are caused by a combination of factors, such as wind, the Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect), temperature, and salinity gradients. Surface currents play a crucial role in redistributing heat around the globe and influencing weather patterns.
Surface currents are primarily caused by the wind blowing across the ocean's surface, transferring energy to the water. The Coriolis effect, resulting from the Earth's rotation, influences the direction of these currents, causing them to flow in circular patterns. Additionally, differences in water temperature and salinity can create density gradients, further affecting current movement. These factors together drive the complex system of surface currents in the world's oceans.
The energy that drives the movement of the water
Factors that set surface ocean currents into motions are the global circulation cells (Hadley, Ferrel, Polar), the Coriolis effect, and the continental deflection.
Continental deflections,the Coriolis effect and global winds all effect surface ocean currents.
The three factors which control surface currents are the following:Global windsContinental deflection and temperatureThe Coriolis effect
the sun and erosion
joe moma
when the surface of the sea is distributed, waves are produced. waves are seen moving on the surface of water but actually their movement is not extensive and the movement of water from one part of the ocean to another gives rise to currents.