GEOG 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Ekman Transport, Trade Winds, Thermohaline Circulation
Document Summary
Extends to about 75m (245ft) in depth and contains about 3% of total ocean water volume. Active mixing by wind-generated waves and surface ocean currents results in nearly constant temperature and salinity conditions within this thin layer, whose temperature approximates the average temperature of the near surface air layer: thermocline layer. Extends beneath the surface layer to a depth of about 1,000m (3,300ft) and is marked by relatively sharp changes in temperature with depth: deep ocean. Occurs at depths greater than 1,000m and includes about 97% of the total ocean water volume: surface currents. Global winds drag on the water"s surface, causing it to move and build up in the direction that the wind is blowing. Hemisphere (in a clockwise spiral) and to the left in the southern hemisphere (in a counter-clockwise spiral). Nh current is deflected about 45 degrees to the right of the wind. Sh current is deflected about 45 degrees to the left of the wind.
