How Ocean Currents Are Created

Ocean currents are created by two different things: 1) the wind pushing up against the surface waters and, 2) the differences in the salinity of the water in different spots. The general winds of the earth creats the major currents-which are the currents that carry the oceans water in circular patterns. Upwelling can be caused by both though it is more common to find it caused by salinity differences. Thermohaline circulation then takes place because the colder, saltier water lowers and the water below it takes its place. This produces the great vertical currents in the ocean.


	How Ocean Currents Are Created Ocean currents are created by two different things: 1) the wind pushing up against the surface waters and, 2) the differences in the salinity of the water in different spots. The general winds of the earth creats the major currents-which are the currents that carry the oceans water in circular patterns. Upwelling can be caused by both though it is more common to find it caused by salinity differences. Thermohaline circulation then takes place because the colder, saltier water lowers and the water below it takes its place. This produces the great vertical currents in the ocean.