In the Northern Hemisphere how do the major ocean currents tend to flow?
⢠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
⢠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 âsubtropical gyreââa 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?
⢠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.
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