Theory question 203
Oceans and Lakes(a) Highlight the economic importance of oceans to man, giving specific examples (b) Select any one warm current in the North Atlantic Ocean and describe the factors responsible for its movement
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(a) Ocean transport for world trade (e.g. Atlantic routes); fishing (e.g. North Sea, Grand Banks); minerals such as petroleum on the continental shelf (Niger Delta, North Sea) and salt; tourism and recreation; employment; moderating coastal climates; source of rainfall.
(b) e.g. Gulf Stream / North Atlantic Drift: driven by the prevailing winds (trade winds push water west, westerlies push it north-east); deflection by the earth's rotation (Coriolis force) to the right; differences in temperature and density between warm and cold water; differences in salinity; shape of coastlines turning the current.
Name one warm current (Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift) and link each factor to its direction.