Surface Ocean CurrentsWhat are surface ocean currents? • Ocean water that flows on the top layer of the ocean in predictable patterns

around the Earth.

What causes surface ocean currents? • Global Wind currents push them either east or west• When the current runs into a continent it will turn and flow along the

coastline. • The spinning of the Earth (Coriolis Effect) makes them move in a circular

pattern.

Why does the Earth need surface ocean currents? • They move living things and warm and cold water around the planet.

How do they affect the climates of different places around the Earth?• Currents that bring warm water will increase the air temperature of a region.• Currents that bring cool water will decrease the air temperature of a region.

Where do warm surface currents begin?• They are created near the equator where there are very warm

temperatures and a lot of direct sunlight. They then flow toward the polar regions. Most of them are on the eastern side of the continents.

Where do cold surface currents begin?• They are created near the polar regions where there are very cold

temperatures and much less direst sunlight. They then flow toward the tropical regions. Most of them are on the western side of the continents.

Medium Temperature

World Surface Currents Map

What global winds push surface ocean currents to the west? What global winds push surface ocean currents to the east?

What is the largest and strongest warm surface current in the world?• The Gulf Stream/North Atlantic DriftWhat is the largest cold surface current that affects the United States?• The California Current

Gulf Stream