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3. Ocean Circulation

 

 

Expedition Menu

1. Introduction
2. Ocean Temperature
3. Circulation
4. Atmospheric Heat
5. Heat and Pressure
6. Atmospheric Pressure
7. Air Pressure and Wind
8. Wind Directions
9. Global Wind Patterns
10. Measuring Circulation

 
In this course, we will discuss two types of ocean currents:
    1. surface currents or circulation in the mixed (surface) layer driven by wind and
    2. thermohaline circulation, or density-driven circulation, in the deep waters
In this expedition, the emphasis will be on surface circulation whereas in subsequent expedition, we will discuss thermohaline circulation as part of a global conveyor belt shown in the map below, (chapters 13 & 14 in "Mapping the Deep").
 

 
conveyor2.GIF (6924 bytes)
Image Courtesy of TOPEX/Poseidon Project Office at JPL
Last Updated on
October 24, 1998
Send to Don Reed
Department of Geology
San José State University

In order to understand the surface circulation of the ocean, which is driven by the wind, let's begin to examine the distribution of heat in the atmosphere