Question

Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation?

Answer 1

Ocean currents are the most important ocean movements because of their influence on climatology of various regions. [Read my previous posts on climatic regions to understand the influence of ocean currents.]

Ocean currents are like river flow in oceans. They represent a regular volume of water in a definite path and direction.

Ocean currents are influenced by two types of forces namely:

primary forces that initiate the movement of water;

secondary forces that influence the currents to flow.

The primary forces that influence the currents are:

heating by solar energy;

wind;

gravity;

Coriolis force.

The secondary forces that influence the currents are:

Temperature difference;

Salinity difference