3 - Ocean Circulation and the Equation of State

Question 1

Wind Driven Circulation

Answer 1

• Currents are in the toward direction
• Winds are in the from direction
• Wind drives Atlantic Ocean direction
• Frictional drag imparts clockwise spin (northern hemisphere)
• Creates Great Circular Gyres

Question 2

Global Wind Circulations

Answer 2

• Ocean gyres are not steady or constant
• Meanders and eddies are the rule, not exception
• They contain as much variation as do surface winds in the U.S.

Question 3

Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC)

Answer 3

Takes hundreds of years for deep water to reach the equator

Question 4

Equation of State of Seawater

Answer 4