Conveyor Belt and Surface Currents

​I can develop and use models to explore how Earth's materials and systems interact as the oceans affect climate.

Heater and Cooler

You have probably heard of or perhaps experienced the ocean's surface currents. There are also currents that move below the surface.

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Question:​

What is the cause of surface currents?

Ocean currents are like conveyor belts in the grocery store. They are responsible for transporting vast amounts of thermal energy, nutrients and even organisms from one part of the world to another.

El Nino and La Nina

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El Nino and La Nina are names of weather patterns. These are complex systems that are a good illustration of how the ocean affects weather and climate. Both of these weather patterns are caused by the temperature of the Pacific Ocean. El Nino occurs when the Pacific Ocean is cooler than usual. Both of these weather patterns typically last about a year.

El Nino

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La Nina

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El Nino and La Nina

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Misconception Alert:

You may have the misconception that all of the consequences of El Nino and La Nina are negative. Although there are some negative results of these weather patterns there are also positive impacts, such as a reduction in the number of Atlantic hurricanes during El Nino years. You might also have the misconception that El Nino and La Nina are phenomena that have just recently started occurring. Instead, La Nina and El Nino have been part of the weather and climate patterns on Earth for millions of years.​