Question

What is the reason behind the dynamics of the ocean water?

Answer 1

Ocean water is not still. There is continuous vertical and horizontal movement of water. The horizontal continuous flow of a mass of water from one place to another gives rise to an ocean current. Many factors are responsible for this movement of water. They are driven by density, temperature gradients, planetary winds, etc. Due to uneven heating of the earth, surplus heat is accumulated at the equator, which is then transferred to poles through ocean currents. The direction of flow of ocean current is also dependent on the continental structure and the rotation of the earth. The shape and position of the coastline play a crucial role in guiding the direction of ocean currents. The rotation of the earth results in ocean currents moving in the clockwise direction in the northern hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere.