1. In which direction do the ocean currents under the trade winds flow? (Hint: C

Question

1. In which direction do the ocean currents under the trade winds flow? (Hint: Choose the dominant direction of flow.)

2. In which direction do the ocean currents under the prevailing westerlies flow? (Hint: Choose the dominant direction of flow.)

3. Wind driven ocean currents are deflected by continental barriers to form gyres. What is the one latitude where there are no continental barriers? (i.e. where the current does not get deflected by a continent being in the way)

4. At what latitude are the ocean gyres centered?

5. In what direction do the gyres flow in the Northern Hemisphere?

6. In what direction do the gyres flow in the Southern Hemisphere?

7. Warm water is transported towards the poles on which side of the ocean basins?

8. Cold water is transported towards the equator on which side of the ocean basins?

9. What speed is the surface current near Tokyo, Japan?

Explanation / Answer

1) D

The prevailing surface winds over the tropical ocean are the trade winds that blow persistently from the northeast (toward the southwest) in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast (toward the northwest) in the Southern Hemisphere. Trade winds drive both North and South Equatorial Currents westward, thus transporting warm ocean-surface waters in that direction- WESTWARD

2) C

The westerlies or prevailing westerlies, are prevailing winds from the west toward the east in the middle latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees latitude

3) C

Equator is the location where the current does not get deflected by a continent being in the way.

4) B

Tropic of cancer and capricorn are latitude where the ocean gyres are centered( it is generalised andoversimplified)

5) A

Ocean gyres in the Northern hemisphere rotate clockwise  due to the Coriolis effect

6) B

Ocean gyres in the N Southern hemisphere rotate counter-clockwise due to the Coriolis effect

7) D

Western boundary currents are warm current that form on west side of ocean basin due to western intensification. They carry warm water.

8) C

Eastern boundary currents are relatively shallow. subtropical eastern boundary currents flow eastward , transporting cold water.

9) B

surface current located on the western side of subtropical gyre , so called western boundary are faster than their eastern boundary counterparts.

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