US Ocean Currents & Climate Quiz
Gulf Stream, California Current, impacts (10 questions).
US Ocean Currents & Climate Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Ocean currents act as a global conveyor belt, transporting thermal energy across latitudes. In the United States, the contrast between the warm Gulf Stream on the East Coast and the cold California Current on the West Coast dramatically shapes regional climates, weather patterns, and marine ecosystems.
Key Takeaways
- The Gulf Stream is part of the North Atlantic Gyre.
- The California Current is part of the North Pacific Gyre.
- Warm currents flow away from the equator; cold currents flow toward the equator.
- Western boundary currents (like the Gulf Stream) are generally narrower, deeper, and faster.
- Eastern boundary currents (like the California Current) are generally wider, shallower, and slower.
- San Francisco’s summer fog is a direct result of warm air moving over cold California Current water.
What is the Gulf Stream?
The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows north along the U.S. East Coast before crossing the Atlantic.
Is the California Current warm or cold?
The California Current is a cold water current that flows southward along the western coast of North America, bringing cooler temperatures to the coast.
Why is Western Europe warmer than Canada at the same latitude?
The Gulf Stream (and its extension, the North Atlantic Drift) transports massive amounts of warm tropical water toward Europe, moderating its climate.
What causes upwelling along the California coast?
Winds blowing parallel to the coast push surface water offshore (due to the Coriolis effect), allowing cold, nutrient-rich deep water to rise and replace it.
How do ocean currents affect hurricanes?
Warm currents like the Gulf Stream provide the thermal energy necessary to strengthen and sustain hurricanes, while cold currents can weaken them.
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