Ocean currents are the continuous, predictable, directional movement of seawater driven by gravity, wind (Coriolis Effect), and water density.

Few bodies of water have the intricate system of currents that oceans do, though, ranging from predictable tidal currents to fickle rip currents. Ocean currents may be driven by tides, winds or differences in density. They profoundly affect the weather, marine transportation and the cycling of nutrients. The water in the ocean is constantly moving.

An ocean current is a continuous flow of water in the ocean. Some currents are surface currents while other currents are much deeper flowing hundreds of feet below the surface of the water. What causes ocean currents? Surface currents are usually caused by the wind. As the wind changes, the current may change as well.

Currents are also influenced by the rotation of the Earth called the Coriolis effect. This causes currents to flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counter clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Deep ocean currents are caused by a number of things including changes in the temperature, salinity (how salty the water is), and density of the water.

One other factor impacting ocean currents is the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.

Marine Organisms Impact

As a creature in the open ocean biome, you have two options to survive. One way is to float along on the currents and wait for food to drift by, saving energy as you go.

Think about the ocean Sea Horse that has restricted by limited mobility and are dependent about water currents to bring food cycle currents to bring nutrients or food to them and to conjointly distribute larvae and fruitful cells.

Many jellyfish and their cousins travel by riding the waves and currents of the ocean to find new areas of food.

Many ocean species, especially large ones like whales, sharks, and sea turtles, can cross thousands of miles each year following ocean currents to and from their feeding and breeding grounds. Often you will find other creatures following these living landmarks around the ocean. Other species hitch a ride on these swimming dinner buffets.

One of the things many people love about the ocean is the waves. People love to play in the waves, surf the waves, and the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. What causes ocean waves?

Ocean waves are caused by wind moving across the surface of the water. The friction between the air molecules and the water molecules causes energy to be transferred from the wind to the water. This causes waves to form. What is a wave? In science, a wave is defined as a transfer of energy.

Ocean waves are called mechanical waves because they travel through a medium. The medium in this case is water. The water doesn't actually travel with the wave, but only moves up and down. It's the energy that travels with the wave.

All swells are created by wind blowing over the surface of the ocean. As wind blows, waves begin to form. The strength, duration, and area of ocean that the wind blows determines how big the waves will be, how far they'll travel, and how much power they'll still have once they reach shore.

Swells are rolling waves that travel long distances through the ocean. They are not generated by the local wind, but by distant storms. Swells are typically smooth waves, not choppy like wind waves. A swell is measured from the crest (top) to the trough (bottom).