Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean Click on image for full size (75 Kb) Courtesy of UCAR and Carlye Calvin, photographer

Ocean water is always moving.

At the ocean surface, water is moved by the wind and Coriolis effect to form large surface ocean currents. These currents swirl water around ocean basins to create large loops of rotating ocean water called gyres. The Gulf Stream, a surface current that runs between the United States and Europe is part of a gyre in the North Atlantic. Often, smaller spinning rings of water called eddies form from surface ocean currents.

Ocean water is moving from deep to shallow areas of the ocean in areas of upwelling. This can have an impact on marine life and the regional climate. An upwelling area can create a cool, damp and foggy environment above the water. It can also drain power from hurricanes if they pass over. The upwelling water is rich in nutrients so plankton blooms are common.

The direction where surface water moves is affected by the direction of the wind and a process called Ekman Transport. Water at the ocean surface, moved by the wind, ends up moving at a right angle to the wind because of this process.

Moving water is found on a smaller scale too. Waves travel across the ocean and crash on coastlines. Currents along coastlines have the power to transport sand to new places and to even move swimmers far from their beach towels.

On a global scale, water moves each day with the tides. It also moves around the world from the shallow to deep oceans because of changes in the density of seawater - a process called thermohaline circulation.

The moving water in the oceans transports heat and so it has a large impact on Earth’s climate.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean Click on image for full size (75 Kb) Courtesy of UCAR and Carlye Calvin, photographer

Ocean water is always moving.

Water swirls around ocean basins in surface ocean currents. The Gulf Stream is a surface current that runs between the United States and Europe in the North Atlantic Ocean. Smaller spinning rings of water called eddies can form from surface ocean currents.

Ocean water also moves from the deep sea to the ocean surface. Places where this happens are called areas of upwelling. The marine life and the climate can be affected as the cold water makes its way up from the deep. The upwelling water is rich in nutrients so plankton flourishes, and it is very cold, which can lead to cool, damp and foggy weather.

Moving water is found on smaller scales too. Waves travel across the ocean and crash on coastlines. Currents along coastlines have the power to transport sand to new places and to even move swimmers far from their beach towels.

On a global scale, water moves each day with the tides. And over a long time it moves around the world from the shallow to deep oceans because of changes in the water’s density - a process called thermohaline circulation.

The moving water in the oceans transports heat and so it has a large impact on Earth’s climate.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean Click on image for full size (75 Kb) Courtesy of UCAR and Carlye Calvin, photographer

Ocean water is always moving.

Water swirls around ocean in surface ocean currents. The Gulf Stream is a surface current in the North Atlantic Ocean. Smaller spinning rings of water called eddies can be made from surface ocean currents.

Ocean water also moves from the deep sea to the ocean surface. Places where this happens are called areas of upwelling. The upwelling water is rich in nutrients so tiny plants and animals that float in the sea have lots to eat. The water is also cold, which can make the weather cool, damp and foggy.

Water moves in smaller ways too. Waves travel across the ocean and crash on coastlines. Small currents along coastlines can move sand from one beach to another and can move swimmers far from their beach towels too.

Worldwide, water moves each day with the tides. And over a long time it moves around the world from the shallow to deep oceans - a process called thermohaline circulation.

The moving water in the oceans transports heat and so it affects Earth’s climate.