Oceanic Circulation

• Ocean currents flow in loops called gyres.
• Cold ocean currents flow from the poles to the equator, for example the Labrador Current.
• Warm ocean currents flow from the equator to the poles, for example the Gulf Stream.
• Currents follow prevailing winds as the wind creates friction on the surface of the ocean.
• Land Masses block and deflect currents and send them off in other directions. E.g. when North and South America joined the Gulf Stream was sent towards the UK.
• Coriolis force deflects currents to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.
• Salinity causes ocean currents to flow from areas of low salinity (equator) to areas of high salinity (poles) as salt water is denser than fresh water.