How do ocean currents work?
Welcome! I am so excited to explore the ocean with you today. Before we dive into how these massive underwater highways move, I would love to learn a little bit about what brings you here.
To help me tailor our session, could you tell me a little bit about what sparked your interest in and if you have any background in oceanography or earth science?
I'm just curious and have no background in science.
It is wonderful to have you here! Since you are starting fresh, we can think of simply as massive, dedicated rivers flowing right through the middle of the sea. Unlike chaotic waves that splash at the beach, these currents follow consistent, organized paths across the globe.
Broadly speaking, these marine highways are divided into two distinct families based on where they live: surface currents (which glide across the top 10% of the ocean) and deep ocean currents (which slowly loop through the dark, icy depths of the remaining 90%).
What actually gets all this water moving in the first place? It boils down to three main natural drivers: the push of the wind, differences in water density (how heavy and salty the water is), and the rotation of the Earth itself.