To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

TOPIC 12

OCEAN WATER
CIRCULATION

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 1

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Understands how ocean surface

water circulations are formed & how
they are influenced by various
factors such as primary forces and
secondary forces

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 2

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 3

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

OCEAN CURRENT CIRCULATION

 The oceans are an important part of the Earth's heat

exchange system and currents are defined as a body of
water moving in a definite direction.
 Ocean water at the equatorial regions of the Earth
absorbs heat from the sun. These warm ocean currents
then flow toward the poles, carrying heat away from the
equator and distributing it to higher latitudes. Cold-water
currents travel from the polar regions toward the equator,
where they become heated again.
 Typically, the currents that flow poleward are warm-water
currents and the currents flowing toward the equator are
cold-water currents.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 4

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

OCEAN CURRENT CIRCULATION

 In the Atlantic and Pacific Basins in the Northern
Hemisphere, currents generally flow clockwise. In the
Southern Hemisphere the circulation is mainly
counterclockwise. These circulation patterns are known
as gyres.
 Ocean current is different from Tidal stream which
changes hourly due to gravitational effects of the sun &
moon which affects a particular coastal area.
 It is important to understand that ocean current
circulation is very dynamic and complex.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 5

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

Ocean Current Circulation

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 6

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

Ocean Current Circulation

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 7

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 8

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

MAIN CAUSES OF OCEAN CURRENTS

Ocean currents can be caused by

 Planetary wind,
 Density differences in water masses due to
temperature and salinity variations
(Thermohaline)
 Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect)
 Land

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 9

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

TYPES OF OCEAN CURRENTS

There are two distinct current systems in the oceans :

1. Surface current which stirs a relatively thin upper layer

of the sea and transfer heat from warmer to cooler areas
affecting the coastal areas. Large-scale surface ocean
currents are mainly driven by global wind systems (Drift
current) and often matches the wind patterns across the
globe.

2. Deep-sea current which sweeps along the deep-sea

floor providing oxygen and affecting marine life in the
deep sea is caused by difference in the density of sea
water due to temperature or salinity (Gradient current)
12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 10
 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

GENERATION OF WIND DRIFT CURRENT

 Wind blowing over a water surface tends to drag the
uppermost layer of water in the direction towards which the
wind is blowing due to the frictional effect of the wind
 A wind blowing for 10 hours across the ocean will cause
the surface waters to flow at about 2% of the wind speed.
 However, the Coriolis Force caused by the earth’s rotation
deflects the Drift current to the right in [Link] and
to the Left in the [Link] by about 30º to 45º.
 This produces a surface flow of water in a direction, which
is inclined at about 30º to 45º to the right of the wind
direction in NH and to the left in SH.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 11

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

EKMAN SPIRAL
 Surface wind drift currents move at angle to the wind
 Ekman spiral describes the speed and direction of
seawater flow at different depths
 Each successive layer moves increasingly to the
right (N hemisphere)

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 12

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

GENERATION OF GRADIENT CURRENT

 Difference in the density of sea water caused by the
differences of temperature or salinity (thermohaline) will
produce gradient currents.
 The greater the salinity, the greater will be the density of
water and lower the salinity, less will be the density of
water. Similarly lower the temperature, greater is the
density of water and higher the temperature, less is the
density.
 When these different masses of water lie adjacent to each
other, gradient currents will be set up between them
because of their differences in temperature and salinity.
Examples: Gulf Stream, Kuro Shio, Agulhas, Guinea
current.
12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 13
 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

GENERATION OF GRADIENT CURRENT

 The result of differences in levels in the oceans caused by
the natural slopes of the sea surface due to the build-up
by winds will also generate a gradient current.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 14

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

WARM CURRENTS
Warm currents are caused by the transport of
warm water into colder latitudes. Hence,
whenever a current is warmer than the sea
through which it flows, it is called a warm
current. Thus, when a current from Equatorial
(warmer) regions passes through Higher
latitudes (colder), it will be a warm current.
Warm currents are generally experienced along
the western shores of large oceans
Examples : Gulf Stream, Mozambique Current,
Kuro Shio, Agulhas Current, Brazil Current, East
Australian Coast Current

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 15

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

COLD CURRENTS
Cold currents are caused by the transport of Colder
water to warmer latitudes and the Upwelling of water
from below 550 metres. Hence , whenever a current is
colder than the sea through which it flows, it is called
a cold current. Thus, when a current from higher
(colder) latitudes passes through lower (warmer)
latitudes, it will be cold current. If it comes from polar
regions, than, it is going to be extremely cold current.
Cold currents are generally experienced along the
eastern shores of large oceans.
Examples: Labrador Current, Oya Shio, East Greenland
Current, Falkland Current, California Current, Peru
Current, Kamchatka Current, Benguela Current

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 16

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 17

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

OCEAN CURRENTS AND CLIMATE

 Warm ocean currents brings warm and

humid air giving rise to a humid climate
on the adjoining landmass
 Cold ocean currents brings cool and dry
air and give rise to a dry climate on the
adjoining landmass

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 18

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

OCEAN CURRENTS AND CLIMATE

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 19

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

UPWELLING
(Effect of wind blowing over a Coastline)

Upwelling happens where the wind blows along a

coastline and causes the water at the ocean
surface to move away from the land because of
the Ekman transport.

When surface water moves away from the coast,

water from deeper in the ocean rises up and
takes its place bringing cold, nutrient rich waters
to the surface.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 20

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

COASTAL UPWELLING

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 21

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

DOWNWELLING
(Effect of wind blowing over a Coastline)
Downwelling happens where the wind blows along
a coastline and causes the water at the ocean
surface to move towards the land because of the
Ekman transport.

When the surface water moves towards the land it

piles up and is forced downwards where it may
deliver oxygen to deeper water.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 22

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

COASTAL DOWNWELLING

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 23

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 24

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

PACIFIC OCEAN CIRCULATION

North Pacific Gyre
• Kuroshio Current
• North Pacific Current
• California Current
• North Equatorial Current

South Pacific Gyre

• Peru Current
• South Equatorial Current
• East Australia Current
• Antarctic Circumpolar Current

Equatorial Counter Current

Oyashio Current
Alaskan Current
Kamchatka Current
12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 25
 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

PACIFIC OCEAN CIRCULATION

North Pacific Gyre
• Kuroshio Current
• North Pacific Current
• California Current
• North Equatorial Current

South Pacific Gyre

• Peru Current
• South Equatorial Current
• East Australia Current
• Antartic Circumpolar Current

Equatorial Counter Current

Oyashio Current
Alaskan Current
Kamchatka Current

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 26

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

ATLANTIC OCEAN CIRCULATION

North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre
• North Equatorial Current
• Gulf Stream
• North Atlantic Current
• Canary Current

South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre

• Brazil Current
• Antarctic Circumpolar Current
• Benguela Current
• South Equatorial Current

Atlantic Equatorial Counter Current

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 27

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

ATLANTIC OCEAN CIRCULATION

North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre

• North Equatorial Current
• Gulf Stream
• North Atlantic Current
• Canary Current

South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre

• Brazil Current
• Antarctic Circumpolar Current
• Benguela Current
• South Equatorial Current

Atlantic Equatorial Counter Current

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 28

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

OTHER ATLANTIC CURRENTS

• Labrador Current
• Irminger Current
• Norwegian Current
• East Greenland Current
• Florida Current
• Carribean Current
• Antilles Current
• Guinea Current
• Falklands Current

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 29

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 30

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

Climate effects of North Atlantic currents

• Gulf Stream warms East coast of U.S. and Northern

Europe
• North Atlantic and Norwegian Currents warm
northwestern Europe
• Labrador Current cools eastern Canada
• Canary Current cools North Africa coast

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 31

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

ANTARTIC CIRCULATION
 Antarctic
Circumpolar
Current (West Wind
Drift)
 Encircles Earth
 Transports more
water than any
other current
 East Wind Drift
 Antarctic
Divergence
 Antarctic
Convergence

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 32

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

SEASONAL AND MONSOON CURRENTS

 In many regions the average current experienced varies
according to the seasons
 The current flow in the summer months differs markedly
from that of the winter period.
 Off the south-east of Vietnam, the average current is
south-westerly (1-1⅟₂ kn) in winter and north-easterly
(about 1 kn) in summer.
 In the Indian Ocean during the northern winter, the
currents between the equator and latitude 15N set in a
westerly direction in accord with the northeast monsoon.
In the northern summer, however, during the south-west
monsoon the currents of this region are reversed and set
in easterly directions.
12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 33
 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

INFORMATION ON OCEAN CURRENTS

 A practical knowledge of ocean currents is necessary to the
shipmaster, both for the safety of his ship and to assist in its
economic operation (voyage planning especially on long passage).
 The prudent mariner must study the information about currents in
the Admiralty Pilots, current atlases and elsewhere.
 Ocean currents are depicted in a variety of ways to suit various
requirements. In most regions, the variation of the current is
distinguish between the different times of the year, preferably by
means of separate charts for each month showing the general
circulation.
 The forms of display commonly used on current charts are
(a) the vector mean current,
(b) the predominant current, and
(c) the current rose.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 34

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

(a) Vector mean current

 The vector mean current is the average of all
the individual observations for the place and
time intervals concerned, taking both speed
and direction into account.
 The vector mean value represents the overall
movement of the water over a considerable
period.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 35

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

Vector
mean
current
chart

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 36

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

(b) Predominant current

 The predominant current is an approximation to the
most frequent or most likely current.
 The mid direction of the sector with the greatest number
of current observations is defined as the predominant
direction.
 The predominant speed is the arithmetic mean of all the
individual current speeds within the sector of greatest
frequency.
 The ‘constancy’ of the predominant current is defined
as the percentage of the number of observations within
the selected (maximum frequency) sector to the total
number of observations

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 37

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

Predominant
current chart

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 38

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

(c) The current rose

 The current rose shows the relative frequency with which
the current sets in each direction and also the relative
frequency of various categories of speed within each
direction at a particular place and time of year.
 the total frequency of observations which fall within a
particular sector of the compass determines the length of
an arrow extending in this direction from the centre of the
rose.
 Each arrow is subdivided so that the relative frequency of
observations within various speed categories can be
indicated

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 39

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

Current
rose
chart

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 40

 To Be A Leader In Maritime Education & Training

ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

[Link] the generation of drift currents by prevailing winds

and the effect of geostrophic force on surface currents
[Link] the generation of gradient currents from differences
in water temperature and salinity (thermohaline)
[Link] and label all the principal surface currents in the
Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean.
[Link] the classification of individual currents as warm or
cold where appropriate
[Link] what is upwelling in relation to the effect of wind
moving along the coast lines with the aid of a diagram.
[Link] what is down-welling in relation to the effect of wind
moving along the coast lines with the aid of a diagram.

12-Ocean Water Circulation A1MC Part 1 / Meteorology / Apr 2020 / LKK 41