Show currents in the oceans on the world map. Map of the currents of the world's oceans. Explanation of settings

The article discusses the classification sea ​​currents, given sea ​​currents map in the World Ocean, the main sea currents are described, the characteristics of wind, drift and gradient currents are given.
General current map d on the surface of the World Ocean represents the main directions of movement of water masses, averaged over a long-term observation period (Fig.).
The main cause of surface currents in the open ocean is wind action. Therefore, there is a close relationship between the directions and speed of currents and the prevailing winds. In this regard, the maps of currents on the surface of the oceans and seas should be considered as diagrams that give a general picture.
In the tropical zone of the World Ocean, where stable trade winds are observed in the northeastern direction in the northern hemisphere and southeast in the southern, permanent and powerful trade wind (or equatorial) currents directed to the west arise on both sides of the equator.
Meeting the eastern shores of the continents on their way, the currents create a surge of water (level rise) and turn to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern.
At latitudes of about 40 °, the masses of water are mainly affected by westerly winds. Due to this, the currents turn to the east and northeast, and then, meeting the western shores of the continents on their way, to the south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern, forming closed currents between the equator and latitude 40 - 45 °. Part of the eastern current in the northern hemisphere turns north, forming a branch of the circulation of temperate latitudes.
Between the currents of the trade wind zones of the northern and southern hemispheres in the equatorial zone there are countercurrents directed to the east.
A different pattern of currents from the described scheme is observed only in the tropical zone of the northern half of the Indian Ocean. Here, the deeply protruding south Indian subcontinent and the vast continent of Asia create favorable conditions for the development of monsoon winds. For this reason, the currents of the northern half of the Indian Ocean have a seasonal pattern in accordance with the seasonal pattern of atmospheric circulation.

In temperate latitudes 45 - 65 ° in the northern parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the currents form a counterclockwise circulation ring. However, due to the instability of atmospheric circulation at these latitudes, the currents are also characterized by low stability, except for those branches that are supported by a constant slope of the ocean level from the equator to the poles, for example, the warm North Atlantic and North Pacific currents.
In polar latitudes, as observations of ice drift show, surface currents in the Arctic Ocean follow from the shores of Asia across the pole to the eastern shores of Greenland. This character of currents, on the one hand, is caused by the predominance of eastern winds here, and on the other, is a compensation for the inflow of waters from the North Atlantic.
Off the coast of Antarctica, the currents are predominantly westerly and form a narrow band of circulation along the coast of Antarctica, directed from east to west. At some distance from the shores, the currents have an easterly direction, following the prevailing westerly winds of temperate latitudes.
Classification of sea currents. Sea currents are usually classified according to: the forces causing them;
- stability;
- the depth of the location;
- physical and chemical properties of water masses.
The main thing is the classification according to the first criterion.
According to the forces causing sea currents, the latter are divided into three main groups.
Gradient currents due to the action of the horizontal component (hydrostatic pressure gradient). This force arises if, for some reason, the level or density of water rises in one place, and decreases in another. At the same time, at the same levels, a difference in hydrostatic pressure (gradient) is created, the horizontal component of which, trying to equalize the difference in hydrostatic pressures of neighboring water masses, causes translational displacements of water, i.e., currents from the area where the hydrostatic pressure is higher, to the area, where the pressure is less.
Depending on the reasons that create a difference in the hydrostatic pressures of water masses at the same levels, the following are distinguished in the group of gradient currents:
surge currents arising during the surge and surge of the water level in one place or another under the influence of the wind;
baro-gradient currents due to different atmospheric pressure; sea ​​level decreases in the area of ​​high atmospheric pressure and rises in the area of ​​low pressure; an increase (or decrease) in atmospheric pressure by 1 mb causes a decrease (or increase) in the level by 1 cm;
runoff currents caused by constant elevated sea level in some of its areas, for example, as a result of river runoff;
density currents arising from the uneven distribution of water density in the horizontal direction, while denser waters flow in the form of a deep current into the region of less dense ones, and less dense ones in the form of surface currents - in the opposite direction. (For example, currents in the Bosphorus Strait, discovered by Admiral S.O. Makarov, the reason for their occurrence is the difference in water density in the Black and Marmara Seas: the saltier and denser waters of the Sea of ​​Marmara in the form of a deep current go to the Black Sea, and the freshened, less dense , therefore, the lighter waters of the Black Sea go as a surface current to Marmara); wind and drift currents arising under the influence of wind, as a result of friction of moving air masses on the water surface. Currents created by temporary and short-term winds are called wind currents, and currents created by long-term or prevailing winds, when the water masses have time to take a position of equilibrium in accordance with the outlines of the coast, the bottom relief and neighboring systems of sea currents, are drift. An example of permanent drift currents in the oceans is the north and south equatorial currents in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, created by constant trade winds, therefore these currents are often also called trade winds;
tidal currents caused by the action of the periodic tidal forces of the moon and the sun. According to their stability, currents are subdivided into:
constant - currents that change little in direction and speed during the season or year (for example, the equatorial currents of the oceans, the Gulf Stream, etc.);
periodic - currents repeating at regular intervals
(for example, tide - ebb);
temporary (non-periodic) - currents caused by various non-permanently acting external forces and, first of all, winds, are distinguished by high variability of directions and speeds. By depth, the currents are divided into: surface currents, observed in the so-called navigation layer, that is, in the layer corresponding to the draft of surface vessels (0-15 m); deep, observed at different depths from the sea surface; bottom, observed in the layer adjacent to the bottom. According to the physicochemical properties of the masses of water, currents are divided into warm and cold, salty and freshened. The nature of the currents is determined by the ratio of the temperature or salinity of the water masses participating in the flow and the surrounding waters.

They play an important role in shaping the climate on planet Earth, and are also largely responsible for the diversity of flora and fauna. Today we will get acquainted with the types of currents, the reason for their occurrence, consider examples.

It's no secret that our planet is washed by four oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic. Naturally, the water in them cannot be stagnant, since this would long ago lead to an environmental disaster. Due to the fact that it constantly circulates, we can fully live on Earth. Below is a map of ocean currents, it clearly shows all movements of water flows.

What is ocean current?

The current of the World Ocean is nothing more than a continuous or periodic movement of large masses of water. Looking ahead, let's say right away that there are many of them. They differ in temperature, directionality, depth penetration and other criteria. Ocean currents are often compared to rivers. But the movement of river flows occurs only downward under the influence of gravitational forces. But the circulation of water in the ocean occurs for many different reasons. For example, wind, uneven density of water masses, temperature differences, the influence of the moon and the sun, changes in pressure in the atmosphere.

Causes of occurrence

I would like to start my story with the reasons that give rise to the natural circulation of waters. There is practically no exact information even at the present time. This can be explained quite simply: the system of oceans has no clear boundaries and is in constant motion. Now the currents that are closer to the surface have been studied in more depth. Today, one thing is known for sure that the factors affecting the circulation of water can be both chemical and physical.

So, let's consider the main reasons for the occurrence of ocean currents. The first thing that I want to highlight is the effect of air masses, that is, wind. It is thanks to him that surface and shallow currents function. Of course, the wind has nothing to do with the circulation of water at great depths. The second factor is also important, it is the impact of outer space. In this case, currents arise due to the rotation of the planet. And finally, the third main factor that explains the reasons for the occurrence of ocean currents is the different density of water. All streams of the World Ocean differ in temperature regime, salinity and other indicators.

Directional factor

Depending on the directionality, the ocean water circulation flows are divided into zonal and meridional. The former move west or east. The meridional currents go south and north.

There are also other species that are caused. Such ocean currents are called tidal currents. They are most powerful in shallow waters in the coastal zone, at river mouths.

Currents that do not change strength and direction are called stable, or settled. These include such as the North trade wind and the South trade wind. If the movement of a water flow changes from time to time, then it is called unstable, or unstable. This group is represented by surface currents.

Surface currents

The most noticeable of all are surface currents, which are generated by the influence of the wind. Under the influence of the trade winds constantly blowing in the tropics, huge streams of water are formed in the equator region. They form the North and South Equatorial (trade winds) currents. A small part of these are reversed and form a countercurrent. The main streams deviate north or south when colliding with continents.

Warm and cold currents

The types of ocean currents play a critical role in the distribution of climatic zones on Earth. It is customary to call the streams of the water area warm, which carry waters with a temperature above zero. Their movement is characterized by a direction from the equator to high latitudes. These are the Alaskan, Gulf Stream, Kuroshio, El Niño, etc.

Cold streams carry water in the opposite direction as compared to warm streams. Where a current with a positive temperature meets on their way, an upward movement of water occurs. The largest are Californian, Peruvian, etc.

The division of currents into warm and cold is conditional. These definitions reflect the ratio of surface water temperature to ambient temperature. For example, if the flow is colder than the rest of the water mass, then such a flow can be called cold. If on the contrary, then it is considered

Ocean currents largely determine our planet. Constantly mixing water in the World Ocean, they create conditions favorable for the life of its inhabitants. And our lives directly depend on this.

NASA specialists have created a new map of ocean currents. It differs from all previous ones in interactivity - anyone can independently look at all stable water flows and determine the temperature character of the flow.

Did you know that ocean water is not homogeneous? It is logical that closer to the surface it is warmer than at depth. However, not everyone knows that the volume of salt in ocean water, with rare exceptions, is inversely proportional to the depth at which this water is located - the deeper, the fresher. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, in the Arctic and Antarctic, deep waters are also saturated with salt - ice layers that penetrate to great depths contain particles of surface salt vapors, enriching the entire water layer with them.

The upper layer of ocean water is driven by stable air currents. Thus, the map of ocean currents is generally identical to the map of sea winds.

Unique online map

A unique map with which you can see in detail the currents of all the oceans of the world

The model was developed to demonstrate the mechanism of thermal circulation in the world's waters. However, the map is not absolutely accurate - in order to better demonstrate the difference between surface and deep water flows, at certain depths the depth is somewhat overestimated in relation to the real one.

The animation component of the new map was modeled by NASA scientists at the Goddard Space Flight Center laboratory.

Comparative contour map of currents

Below is a classic contour map of the world's ocean currents in Russian, which schematically shows all the main cold and warm currents of the world ocean. The arrows indicate the direction of movement, and the color indicates the temperature characteristic of the water - warm, or a particular current is cold.

Reference table ocean currents contains information on the sea currents of the world's oceans, warm, cold, current speed, temperature, salinity, in which ocean they flow. The information contained in the table can be used in the independent work of students of geographers and ecologists, when writing term papers and preparing manuals for each continent and part of the world.

World Ocean Currents Map

World ocean currents warm and cold table

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The source of information: Reference manual "Physical geography of continents and oceans." - Rostov-on-Don, 2004

The world's oceans are a huge amount of water. She is not in a calm state, but is constantly moving. There are several main currents of the World Ocean, which have their own names.

general information

The seafarers were the first to learn about the presence of water currents in the ocean. Currents guided ships and helped researchers make their discoveries. The ocean current began to be called the movement of a large amount of water in one direction. The speed of such movement can reach 10 km / h.

Rice. 1. Ocean currents

Currents are also called rivers in the ocean because they have a specific direction and width.

The movement of water in the Northern Hemisphere is clockwise. In the South, there is a counterclockwise flow of water. This pattern is called the Coriolis force.

Ocean currents arise under the influence of several factors:

• rotation of the planet around its axis;
• wind;
• interaction of the gravitations of the Earth and the Moon;
• seabed relief;
• coastline relief;
• water temperature;
• chemical and physical water properties.

Warm and cold currents are emitted in the ocean.

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Cold and warm currents are relative. So they are called taking into account the difference with the temperature of the surrounding water.

All four oceans have about 40 major streams. Most of them are in the Pacific Ocean. Below is a map of the World Ocean currents with names.

Rice. 2. Map of ocean currents

Warm water streams

Warm is a flow with a higher water temperature than the temperature of the surrounding water mass.

One of the most famous warm currents is the Gulf Stream. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf Stream begins in the Sargasso Sea, then enters the ocean along the coast of the United States.

The Gulf Stream is located in the Northern Hemisphere, but despite this, it flows counterclockwise, like water currents in the Southern Hemisphere.

The North Atlantic Warm Current influences the climate of Europe, passing near its shores. It also begins in the northern seas, and then rushes east.

The wide warm Kuroshio Current is located in the Pacific Ocean. It begins in the region of the Philippine Islands and reaches Japan.

Cold streams of water

Cold is a current whose temperature is lower than the surrounding water.

The largest is the East Greenland Current, which begins in the Arctic Ocean and goes to the Atlantic.

Another cold current begins in the Bering Sea - the Kamchatka current. It goes around Kamchatka, Kuriles, Japan, displacing the warm Kuroshio current.

With the help of the map of the currents of the World Ocean, one can see that they all form a single coherent system.

Rice. 3. Currents form a strict system

What have we learned?

An ocean current is a stream of water moving in one direction. Distinguish between warm and cold currents. They have a significant impact on the climate.

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