Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Science
  4. / General Science

by MandyB on November 27th, 2006

MandyB

Question

Help answer this question below.

Why do surface currents mainly flow east and west, but thermohaline currents flow north and south?

Share:
Other

Answers. 1 helpful answer below.

  • by science_geek on December 10th, 2006

    science_geek

    Surface currents are generally caused by wind over the ocean. Since surface winds generally blow longitudinally, the currents that they generate will flow from east to west or west to east.

    Thermohaline currents are driven by temperature and density gradients (Density variation is due to variation in salinity and temperature). They exchange energy between the poles and the tropics.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Why do surface currents mainly flow east and west, but thermohaline currents flow north and south?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Currents flow east to west near the
East to west currents
Currents that flow east and west are caused by
Surface currents flow east to west
Surface currents east to west

Answerbag

a Demand Media company