Geography 2131A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Atmospheric Circulation, Coriolis Force, Deep Sea
30 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Like the atmosphere, transports heat energy from the equator towards the poles. 13% global heat energy moved by water circulation, 87% by atmospheric circulation. Deflected by coriolis force: water piling up on coastlines = counter-currents. Most oceanic heat transfer occurs horizontally in uppermost 100m = surface currents. Warm currents move from tropics to the poles. Cold currents move from poles towards the equator. Often called drifts because they move slowly and steadily compared to surface winds. Most ocean currents meander (curve and bend) At the boundary of currents, local swirling eddies are common as water with different properties (e. g. temperature) comes into contact. Cell-like circulations of surface currents that often encompass an entire ocean. Cold water from the deep ocean moving to the surface. Major upwelling zones = driest locations on earth. Bring cold water rich in nutrients - best fishing grounds: adjusts (slowly) to shifting wind belts and semi-permanent pressure cells.
