Ocean currents map with temperature characteristics and related questions.

Let’s go step by step to answer each question based on the table and world map of ocean currents.

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Question 1:

We’re asked about the general direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) that ocean currents travel in the Northern Hemisphere vs. Southern Hemisphere.

Looking at the map:

- In the Northern Hemisphere, major current systems like the North Atlantic Gyre (Gulf Stream, Canary Current, etc.) and North Pacific Gyre (Kuroshio, California Current, etc.) move in a clockwise direction.

- In the Southern Hemisphere, gyres like the South Atlantic (Brazil Current, Benguela Current), South Pacific (East Australian Current, Peru Current), and Indian Ocean currents move in a counterclockwise direction.

This is due to the Coriolis effect — Earth’s rotation causes moving water (and air) to curve right in the north and left in the south.

So:

a. In the Northern Hemisphere the general direction is → clockwise

b. In the Southern Hemisphere the general direction is → counterclockwise

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Question 2:

What happens to an ocean current when it approaches the coast of a large landmass?

When a current hits a continent, it can’t go through it — so it gets deflected. It usually turns either north or south along the coastline, depending on which hemisphere it’s in and which way the gyre is spinning.

For example:
- The Gulf Stream flows up the east coast of North America, then turns east toward Europe.
- The Brazil Current flows down the east coast of South America, then turns east into the Atlantic.

So the answer is:

→ It changes direction and flows along the coastline.

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Question 3:

Cold water cools nearby land; warm water warms nearby land.

Look at where cold/warm currents are located relative to east/west coasts.

From the table:

- West coasts often have cold currents: California Current (west coast USA), Canary Current (west coast Africa), Peru Current (west coast South America), Benguela Current (west coast southern Africa).

- East coasts often have warm currents: Gulf Stream (east coast USA), Kuroshio (east coast Asia), Brazil Current (east coast South America), East Australian Current (east coast Australia).

So:

a. The East coasts generally have → warm water currents.

b. The West coasts generally have → cold water currents.

c. The East coast climates will generally be → warmer than it’s supposed to be (because warm currents add heat).

d. The West coast climates will generally be → cooler than it’s supposed to be (because cold currents remove heat).

Example: San Francisco (west coast, cold California Current) is cooler in summer than New York (east coast, warm Gulf Stream influence) even though they’re at similar latitudes.

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Question 4:

What determines whether a current carries warm or cold water?

Look at where the currents start:

- Warm currents usually come from near the equator (where the sun heats the water most). Examples: Gulf Stream, Kuroshio, Brazil Current — all start near the tropics.

- Cold currents usually come from polar regions or deep ocean upwellings near west coasts. Examples: California Current, Canary Current, Peru Current — these bring cold water from higher latitudes or from deep below.

Also, notice that cold currents are often on the western sides of oceans in the subtropics — this is because of how wind patterns and Earth’s rotation push surface water away from shore, allowing cold deep water to rise up (upwelling).

So:

→ Currents carry warm water if they originate near the equator, and cold water if they come from polar regions or deep upwellings. This is because water temperature depends on where it comes from — sunny equatorial zones make warm water, while icy poles or deep ocean layers make cold water.

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Final Answer:

1. a. clockwise
b. counterclockwise

2. It changes direction and flows along the coastline.

3. a. warm
b. cold
c. warmer
d. cooler

4. Currents carry warm water if they start near the equator, and cold water if they come from polar areas or deep upwellings. Water temperature depends on its source region — equator = hot, poles/deep ocean = cold.