Effects of ocean currents /
Answers
Ocean currents act much like a conveyor belt, transporting warm water and precipitation from the equator toward the poles and cold water from the poles back to the tropics. Thus, ocean currents regulate global climate, helping to counteract the uneven distribution of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface.
Effects of ocean currents
● Ocean currents influence the distribution of temperature over the globe. For instance, the warm Equatorial currents tend to increase the temperature of the places where they flow.
● Winds blowing over warm currents pick up moisture and cause rainfall. On the other hand, winds blowing over cold currents are cool but dry. For instance, the North Atlantic Drift brings sufficient rainfall along the western coast of Europe; on the other hand the
● Dense fogs are created in places where cold and warm ocean currents meet. This dangerously lowers visibility and causes fatal accidents. For instance, New Foundland, where the Gulf Stream and the Labrador Current meet, is one such accident-prone zone.
● Areas where cold and warm currents converge are also excellent fishing grounds as these areas are rich in planktons (small organisms eaten by fish). This is the reason that areas around Japan are rich fishing ground.
● Ocean currents also facilitate navigation. Ships flowing with the currents are able to move faster and save time and fuel. Moreover, warm currents tend to melt icebergs and keep the ports ice-free in higher latitudes.