EarthComm Earth's Fluid Spheres: Oceans and Your Community Activity 3

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Earth's Fluid Spheres book

Surface Currents

  • Using flotsam to study ocean currents - NASA
    This article contains information regarding the spill of shoes and rubber duckies in the Pacific that students investigate in Activity 3, specifically how the spill led to a greater understanding of ocean circulation patterns.
  • Ocean Currents and Climate - USC
    Topics covered include the effect of wind stress on the water surface, the impact of the Coriolis effect on surface current patterns, and continent interference. Includes text and images to explain the major ocean gyres, transverse currents, western and eastern boundary, and the effect of plate tectonics on surface circulation.

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Upwelling

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To learn more about the relationship between surface currents and climate, visit the following web sites:

  • "What is Climate?" - TOPEX/Poseidon, Jet Propulsion Lab, NASA
    First window defines climate. After reading text, click on link at bottom of screen to cover topics that include the connection between the oceans and atmosphere, what ocean circulation is and why it is important, and the seasons of the oceans. Several of the windows have color images.
  • Gulf Stream Temperatures - NASA's Visible Earth
    Explains this ocean current, which plays an extremely important role in regulating global climate. Includes a high-resolution satellite image.

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To learn more seasonal upwelling along the west coast of North America, visit the following web site:

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