Which are the two most effective generating...

Which are the two most effective generating...

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51a412

Which are the two most effective generating forces of surface ocean currents?

Question 1 of 27070

Q

Which are the two most effective generating forces of surface ocean currents?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Surface ocean currents vs. deep ocean circulation – how they are formed and what mainly drives them • The role of wind stress on the ocean surface • How density differences (from temperature and salinity) relate more to deep currents than to surface currents

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: What directly pushes the very top layer of the ocean sideways over large areas? • Which of these listed factors mainly affects deep, slow circulation rather than fast surface currents? • Among the choices, which pair includes at least one thing that acts primarily on the seafloor instead of the surface?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the difference between surface currents (upper few hundred meters) and thermohaline circulation (deep, density-driven flow). • Identify which option includes a force that actually applies shear at the water–air interface. • Eliminate any answer where both factors mostly influence deep flow or bottom topography rather than the ocean surface.