Hydrosphere Contents

4. Oceans

The oceans and the atmosphere are inextricably linked

Oceans

The surface currents of the oceans are driven by the global wind patterns. For example, in the North Atlantic, the wind pattern is a vast anticyclone with predominantly westerly winds blowing across the North Atlantic from the USA and Canada towards North West Europe and a counter-flowing easterly wind blowing back across the Atlantic a few degrees north of the equator. Underneath these winds there is a similar pattern of surface circulation in the oceans.

What is the major wind pattern in the North Atlantic? How does this affect ocean water circulation?