Define Current A giant stream Define Surface Current A giant stream of water near the ocean surface Define Deep Current A giant stream of water near the bottom of the ocean Define Coriolis Effect The curving of currents due to Earth’s rotation Define Trade Winds Major wind belts that blow currents westward by the equator Define Westerlies Major wind belts that blow currents eastward in the middle latitudes Define Upwelling When deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface Define Breaker When the top part of a wave “breaks” off because the bottom part of the wave drags along the ocean floor Define Refraction The bending of a wave because shallow waves slow down, but deeper waves do not Define Undertow When waves pull back (strongly) into the ocean Define Rip Current A STRONG current perpendicular to the shore Define Longshore current A current parallel to the shore Define Tsunami A giant wave caused by an oceanic earthquake Define Tide The rise & fall of the ocean’s water level caused by the gravitational pull of the moon Define Density How much mass per volume there is Explain how a surface current forms. Wind gives a lot of energy to ocean water and over time creates a current Explain how a deep current forms. Cold, dense water sinks and over time creates a current How do wind patterns affect surface currents? The wind blows the currents in different directions How does Earth’s rotation affect surface currents? Earth’s rotation curves currents (Coriolis Effect) How do continents affect surface currents? Currents get reflected & split by continents How do surface currents distribute energy around the world? Surface Currents carry warm water away from the equator; thermal/heat energy How do deep currents distribute energy around the world? Deep Currents carry cold water towards the equator; thermal/heat energy How does water move in a wave? Water moves in a circle as the wave passes. The surface receives more energy than the bottom. How does the speed of wind affect wave size? More speed = More energy = Bigger wave How does the length of time wind blows affect wave size? More time = More energy = Bigger/More waves How does the distance of the wind affect wave size? More distance = More energy = Bigger waves Explain what happens to a wave when it approaches a coastline. The wave will bend & break. Which way do currents move in the Northern hemisphere because of the Coriolis Effect? East Which way do currents move in the Southern hemisphere because of the Coriolis Effect? East