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Weather and Climate

Oceanic circulation, continentality and altitude

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 3 Section B

Overview

North Atlantic Drift and its effect on north-west Europe, cold current and the desert associated with it and thermohaline circulation.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

What drives surface ocean currents?

Key term

What is a gyre?

Key term

Describe the North Atlantic Drift and its effect on north-west Europe.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What drives surface ocean currents?

    Model answer

    Surface ocean currents are driven mainly by prevailing winds dragging on the water. The pattern is then shaped by the Coriolis effect and by the position of the continents.

  2. 2

    What is a gyre?

    Model answer

    A gyre is a large circular system of ocean currents in a major basin. Gyres turn clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern.

  3. 3

    Describe the North Atlantic Drift and its effect on north-west Europe.

    Model answer

    The North Atlantic Drift carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico towards north-west Europe. Winters in Britain and Norway are several degrees milder than the latitude alone would give.

  4. 4

    How does a cold current affect the coast it flows along?

    Model answer

    A cold current chills the air immediately above it and reduces evaporation. The coast becomes cooler and drier, and sea fog is common.

  5. 5

    Name a cold current and the desert associated with it.

    Model answer

    The Peru or Humboldt Current flows along the coast of South America. The Atacama Desert lies alongside it and is one of the driest places on Earth.

  6. 6

    What is thermohaline circulation?

    Model answer

    Thermohaline circulation is the deep global movement of water driven by differences in temperature and salinity. Cold salty water sinks at high latitudes and flows slowly along the ocean floor.

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