OCS 1005 Chapter : Ch 7 Oceanography Book Notes
15 Mar 2019
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Masses of ocean water that flow from one place to another. Two methods of direct measurement: one with floating device released into water, another is from a fixed postion like a pier and towed from shit, indirect methods include internal distribution of density, radar altimeters, doppler flow meter measures frequency. Argo is a global array of free0drifting profiling floats that move vertically and measure the temp, salinity ect of ocean. Wind induced surface currents measured with floating objects, satelites or by other. Density induced deep currents are measured using submerged floats, water properties or chemical tracers. Surface currents occur above the pycnocline and affect 10%, only 2% of wind energy transferred to the ocean, if no continents, currents would simply follow the three trade wind patterns. Subtropical gyres are large and circular loops and are driven by major wind belts. There are five: north atlantic, south atlantic, north pacific, sourth pacific and indian ocean.
