atmospheric circulation pt 2 the wind is the main driving force behind the currents. energy from the wind if transferred to the water via friction.when wind travels the water current will travel the same direction but at different speed. coriolios effect will balance out and have a 45 degree angle to the right of the wind. the surface air pushes farther to the right with this effect. this process happens in each layer of water aka the ekman spiral. ocean gyers are found in each ocean.the gulf stream is responsible for heat in europe. the counter currents are found all over the equated especially pacific
Good question Ben! I'm not sure if we know exactly what the fastest surface ocean current is, as not all of their velocities have been mapped and they can vary. However, the western boundary currents are definitely among the fastest. Since these currents are narrow it forces the water to move much more quickly. Two of the fastest currents that have been recorded are the Florida current, which runs into the Gulf Stream, and the Agulhas. Both of these currents have recorded speeds of up to 2m/s.
Very informative video, thank you very much! 1:06 Quick question: isn’t left and right relative? Wouldn’t clockwise and counterclockwise be better words to use here?
You're right, we could have also used clockwise and counterclockwise to describe the rotation. However, they are also relative to the position of the observer, most descriptions of direction are. Great question!
Wow, I didn't knew about the Equatorial Counter Current before! Can this explain how the northern and southern hemisphere currents come as one and create a highway to circulate through?
I think you may be thinking of the great ocean conveyor belt as the ocean current that circulates continuously through both hemispheres. It is a deep-ocean current that isn't really affected by the wind and the surface ocean currents. We discuss the conveyor belt in our video on deep ocean circulation if you want to know more about it. The counter current is still really cool though because although it is a result of wind patterns, it goes against the generally westward movement of wind in the tropics. I hope this answers your question, let me know if you have any more questions or need clarification!
extremely helpful
atmospheric circulation pt 2
the wind is the main driving force behind the currents. energy from the wind if transferred to the water via friction.when wind travels the water current will travel the same direction but at different speed. coriolios effect will balance out and have a 45 degree angle to the right of the wind. the surface air pushes farther to the right with this effect. this process happens in each layer of water aka the ekman spiral. ocean gyers are found in each ocean.the gulf stream is responsible for heat in europe. the counter currents are found all over the equated especially pacific
Fascinating stuff.
Thanks Conrad, stay tuned for part 3 coming soon.
A very informative video, as always. (I really liked the graphics!)
Oh yeah, and I have an idea for a video, or rather I want to learn about this subject: The ocean's depth layers!
Thanks Valdokaz! I'll add that to our list of videos, would be a great video or series to do.
Thank you for that! I'm lookign forward to it!
this is beter than natinol geografic
Thanks! :)
Great video, very informative! One quick question: which is the fastest of the surface ocean currents?
Good question Ben! I'm not sure if we know exactly what the fastest surface ocean current is, as not all of their velocities have been mapped and they can vary. However, the western boundary currents are definitely among the fastest. Since these currents are narrow it forces the water to move much more quickly. Two of the fastest currents that have been recorded are the Florida current, which runs into the Gulf Stream, and the Agulhas. Both of these currents have recorded speeds of up to 2m/s.
Very informative video, thank you very much! 1:06
Quick question: isn’t left and right relative? Wouldn’t clockwise and counterclockwise be better words to use here?
You're right, we could have also used clockwise and counterclockwise to describe the rotation. However, they are also relative to the position of the observer, most descriptions of direction are. Great question!
Wow, I didn't knew about the Equatorial Counter Current before! Can this explain how the northern and southern hemisphere currents come as one and create a highway to circulate through?
I think you may be thinking of the great ocean conveyor belt as the ocean current that circulates continuously through both hemispheres. It is a deep-ocean current that isn't really affected by the wind and the surface ocean currents. We discuss the conveyor belt in our video on deep ocean circulation if you want to know more about it.
The counter current is still really cool though because although it is a result of wind patterns, it goes against the generally westward movement of wind in the tropics.
I hope this answers your question, let me know if you have any more questions or need clarification!
Cute. Thanks