How does uneven heating cause ocean currents

The cause of this is the reflectiveness of the surface of the Earth at that point the albedo and the angle that the sun 's rays strike it at. A field covered with snow and ice is going to be much more reflective than a black top asphalt parking lot.

As such the parking lot absorbs much more shortwave radiation from the sun and gets much warmer. What causes the uneven heating of the earth's surface? Saffana S. This warm water in the western Pacific Ocean causes low air pressure and high rainfall. Warmer water causes the air above the ocean's surface to warm and rise, leaving an area of lower pressure. More rainfall is associated with lower air pressure.

Meanwhile, the eastern Pacific Ocean has high air pressure and less rainfall. Every 3 to 10 years, the southeast trade winds weaken, allowing the warm water to flow further eastward toward South America. This event can have devastating effects on marine life, including coral reefs, and fisheries.

South America experiences wetter than average weather while North America experiences mild, but stormier winter weather. Skip to Main Content Area. Gyres are spiral oceanic surface currents and are found in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The pattern of current flow is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the currents make a similar pattern.

The video below examines if the movement of sea water can affect the climate. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service.

Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives. Of that, only about 1. Most of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams. This water is the lifeline of ecosystems around the world. Ocean currents are the continuous, predictable, directional movement of seawater driven by gravity, wind Coriolis Effect , and water density.

Ocean water moves in two directions: horizontally and vertically. Horizontal movements are referred to as currents, while vertical changes are called upwellings or downwellings. Explore how ocean currents are interconnected with other systems with these resources.

Freshwater is a precious resource on the Earth's surface. It is also home to many diverse fish, plant, and crustacean species.

The habitats that freshwater ecosystems provide consist of lakes, rivers, ponds, wetlands, streams, and springs. Use these classroom resources to help students explore and learn about these places.

Weathering is the process of the weakening and breakdown of rocks, metals, and manmade objects. There are two main types of weathering: chemical and physical. An example of chemical weathering is acid rain. Caused mostly by the burning of fossil fuels, acid rain is a form of precipitation with high levels of sulfuric acid, which can cause erosion in the materials in which it comes in contact.

An example of physical weathering is wind blowing across the desert playas. This process causes rocks to form a specific pyramid-like shape and they are called ventifacts. Select from these resources to teach about the process of weathering in your classroom. An abiotic factor is a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment. In a terrestrial ecosystem, examples might include temperature, light, and water.

In a marine ecosystem, abiotic factors would include salinity and ocean currents. Abiotic and biotic factors work together to create a unique ecosystem. Learn more about abiotic factors with this curated resource collection. The weather you encounter day to day depends on where you live. Places around the Equator experience warm weather all year round, but experience alternate periods of rainy and dry seasons.

Places near lakes may experience more snow in the winter, whereas places on continental plains may be more prone to hail, thunderstorms, and tornados in the summer.

Learn more about regional climates with this curated resource collection. Scientists across the globe are trying to figure out why the ocean is becoming more violent and what, if anything, can be done about it. Ocean currents, including the ocean conveyor belt, play a key role in determining how the ocean distributes heat energy throughout the planet, thereby regulating and stabilizing climate patterns.