Question
Download Solution PDFConsider the following statements regarding Ocean currents
1.Surface currents transport 90% of ocean water, while deep water currents transport only 10% of ocean water
2.While surface winds are wind-driven, the deep water currents are density- and haline-driven.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 2 : 2 only
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is option 2
Key Points
- Surface currents transport only 10% of ocean water, while deep ocean currents move 90% of the ocean’s volume.
- Surface currents are driven by winds, such as the Trade Winds, Westerlies, and Coriolis effect.
- Deep ocean currents are driven by density differences, influenced by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline).
- The Global Conveyor Belt (Thermohaline Circulation) regulates Earth's climate by distributing heat across oceans.
- Upwelling and downwelling occur due to differences in water density, supporting marine biodiversity.
Additional Information:
- Examples of Major Surface Currents:
- Warm currents: Gulf Stream (Atlantic), Kuroshio Current (Pacific)
- Cold currents: California Current (Pacific), Canary Current (Atlantic)
- Examples of Deep Ocean Currents:
- North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) – Forms near Greenland.
- Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) – Coldest, densest water mass in the world.