In the Northern Hemisphere how do the major...

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519d1c

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519d1c

In the Northern Hemisphere how do the major ocean currents tend to flow?

Question 1 of 27070

In the Northern Hemisphere how do the major ocean currents tend to flow?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Coriolis effect in the Northern Hemisphere • Direction of flow around high-pressure systems and subtropical gyres • Relationship between western boundary currents (like the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio) and overall basin circulation

💭 Think About

• Visualize the North Atlantic: If the Gulf Stream flows northward along the U.S. East Coast, how must the water circulate around the whole basin to return southward? • Think about a ‘subtropical gyre’—a large rotating system of currents in the middle of the ocean. In the Northern Hemisphere, which way do these gyres spin? • How does the Coriolis effect deflect moving water in the Northern Hemisphere, and what overall rotation does that create?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be sure you know that the Gulf Stream is a warm current flowing northward along the U.S. East Coast. • Confirm that subtropical gyres in the Northern Hemisphere all rotate the same way in each ocean basin. • Do NOT base your answer on whether the current is warm or cold; focus on basin-wide rotation direction.

Question 1 of 27070

In the Northern Hemisphere how do the major ocean currents tend to flow?

Counterclockwise around the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans

Clockwise around the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans

Counterclockwise except in the Gulf Stream

Clockwise or counterclockwise depending on whether it is warm or cold current

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519d1c

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519d1c

In the Northern Hemisphere how do the major ocean currents tend to flow?

Back

Question 1 of 27070

In the Northern Hemisphere how do the major ocean currents tend to flow?