What Causes Wind-Driven Currents?
What are Currents? A current is defined as a large mass of ocean water that is in constant motion. Among the currents in the five oceans are the well-known California Current, Gulf Stream, North Atlantic, Atlantic South, Equatorial and the Westwind Drift (according to Greene, Thomas F. 1998. Marine Science). There are three main types of currents: vertical, ocean bottom and wind-driven. Wind-Driven Currents In wind-driven currents, the wind exerts a certain amount of force on the surface of the water, causing it to move. In some of the more well-known wind-driven currents, like the jet stream, the current can get quite strong from the same persistent wind blowing in the same direction over a long period. The strength and depth of the current is largely dependent on the strength and power behind the wind. Strength of Wind-Driven Currents A scientist can easily determine the strength and speed of a wind-driven current by the strength and speed of the wind. The speed of a current is disco
