The Ocean Currents consist of horizontal and vertical components of the circulation system of ocean waters that is produced by gravity, wind friction, and water density variation in different parts of the ocean. By moving heat from the equator toward the poles, ocean currents play an important role in controlling the climate. ADVERTISEMENTS: The following points highlight the ten main currents in the Pacific ocean. Salt makes water heavier, so it sinks. It clovers and area of around 13,986,000 square kilometres. What are Ocean Currents? Major Ocean Currents. West Wind Drift. These surface currents also affect wave and land formations. El Nino or Counter Current 9. Arctic Ocean lies mostly in the Arctic Circle. They are classified into three-part i.e. Counter Equatorial Current 4. This warm water current runs south along the east coast of southern Africa from ~25°S to 40°S, and is the Western Boundary Current of the South Indian Ocean. Some ocean currents flow at the surface; others flow deep within water. South Equatorial Current 3. 1.11 > Heat exchange between the atmosphere and the sea surface (in watts per square metre) is very variable depending on the ocean region. 1.10 > The world’s large ocean currents are also influenced by the prevailing winds. Some currents flow for short distances; others cross entire ocean basins and even circle the globe. Ocean currents are also critically important to sea life. Winds, water density, and tides all drive ocean currents. This is almost the size of the whole of the country of Russia. Warm ocean currents are red, and cold currents are shown in blue. Artic Ocean is surrounded by the Eurasian and north American continents. […] An ocean eddy is formed when currents sometimes pinch off into sections, creating the circular current. Antonyms for ocean current. Ocean currents are created by a number of different factors including wind, Coriolis effect (the earth’s spin), salinity, the shape of the continents and temperature differences. Ocean currents that occur at 328 feet (100 meters) deep or above usually are classified as surface currents.Surface currents, which include coastal currents and surface ocean currents, are driven primarily by winds.. You're likely familiar with coastal currents if you've ever gone to the beach. Currents are found in rivers, ponds, marshes and even swimming pools. If you have tasted the ocean, you know it is very salty. Peru Current 8. Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of all the oceans in the world. Sometimes significant eddies are given names, according to NOAA. East Australia Current 10. North Equatorial Current 2. The rules of the game are how ocean currents work in real life, too. Synonyms for ocean current in Free Thesaurus. Salty water is "thicker" or denser than fresh water. Kuroshio System 5. Drift, Current, and Stream on the basis of the direction of flow, speed, and shape. 10 words related to ocean current: current, stream, El Nino, equatorial current, Gulf stream, Japan current, Kuroshio, Kuroshio current, Humboldt current.... What are synonyms for ocean current? Not only are they handy for sailors, but they also play an essential role in distributing nutrients and … Arctic Ocean. Agulhas Current; Benguela Current; South Equatorial Current; Antarctic Circumpolar Current; Agulhas Current. Ranging from predictable tidal currents to fickle rip currents, ocean currents may be driven by tides, winds or differences in density. That is why it is easier to float in the ocean than in a fresh-water swimming pool or lake. Coastal and sea floor features influence their location, direction, and speed. Earth’s rotation results in the Coriolis effect which also influences ocean currents. Heat makes water lighter, so it rises. 1. Oyashio Current 6. California Current 7. The currents are: 1. Few bodies of water have the intricate system of currents that oceans do, though.