Ocean currents - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Aug 1, 2011 · Large-scale surface ocean currents are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. These currents transfer heat from the tropics to the polar regions, influencing local and global climate. The warm Gulf Stream originating in the tropical Caribbean, for instance, carries about 150 times more water than the Amazon River.
What are Ocean Currents? | Every Full Moon | Ocean Today
Coming into view now is the Kuroshio Current, located off the east coast of Japan. This is the ocean's largest current. It can travel between 25-75 miles a day and is equal in volume to 6,000 large rivers. Surface ocean currents on the open ocean are fantastically complicated and beautiful, driven by a complex global wind system.
Currents: NOAA's National Ocean Service Education
A second factor that drives ocean currents is wind. Winds drive currents that are at or near the ocean's surface. These currents are generally measured in meters per second or in knots (1 knot = 1.15 miles per hour or 1.85 kilometers per hour). Winds drive currents near coastal areas on a localized scale, and in the open ocean on a global scale.
Ocean Currents - Earthdata
Aug 7, 2023 · Webinar: Discover and Use NASA Physical Oceanography Data. The Earth Observing System Data and Information System is a key core capability in NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program. It provides end-to-end capabilities for managing NASA’s Earth science data from various sources—satellites, aircraft, field measurements, and various other ...
Ocean acidification - National Oceanic and Atmospheric …
Apr 1, 2020 · Ocean acidification is currently affecting the entire ocean, including coastal estuaries and waterways. Billions of people worldwide rely on food from the ocean as their primary source of protein. Many jobs and economies in the U.S. and around the world depend on the fish and shellfish that live in the ocean. Current research
Rip Currents - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sep 19, 2024 · Rip currents form as incoming waves (#1 above) push water toward the shoreline (#2 above), which creates an imbalance of water piling up in the surf zone. To stay in balance, the water seeks the path of least resistance back through the surf, which is typically a break in the sandbar (#3 above). This is where the rip current is the strongest.
JetStream Max: Major Ocean Currents | National Oceanic and …
Apr 14, 2023 · JetStream Max: Major Ocean Currents. This image will help identify the top 25 of the world's wind driven ocean currents. To view each current individually, uncheck the "All Currents" box, then check the box for each of the individual currents. Currents indicated by the red color are considered "warm" currents as they transport warm water (and ...
Ocean Circulations - National Oceanic and Atmospheric …
Mar 28, 2023 · Keeping Current. While ocean currents are shallow-level circulations, there is global circulation which extends to the depths of the sea called the Great Ocean Conveyor. Also called the thermohaline circulation, it is driven by differences in the density of the sea water which is controlled by temperature (thermal) and salinity (haline).
Ocean motion: Wind-driven currents | National Oceanic and …
Sep 28, 2022 · Background. Winds, water density, and tides all drive ocean currents. Coastal and sea floor features influence their location, direction, and speed. Earth’s rotation results in the Coriolis Effect which also influences ocean currents. Large-scale, surface ocean currents are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun.
Ocean pollution and marine debris | National Oceanic and …
Apr 1, 2020 · Marine debris. Marine debris is a persistent pollution problem that reaches throughout the entire ocean and Great Lakes. Our ocean and waterways are polluted with a wide variety of marine debris, ranging from tiny microplastics, smaller than 5 mm, to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels.