Geology

The ocean contains what scientists refer to as the zonal bands . Ocean currents are characterized by the continuous and directed flow of ocean water . These movements are caused by the combined effects of several factors , such as the gravitational pull of the moon on the Earth 's oceans , the directions of the wind 's movements over the ocean surface ocean temperature and salinity (ocean 's conveyor belt , and also largely due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis (Persson , 2005 . In general there are two types of ocean currents , one is

the readily felt ocean surface currents and the other is the deep ocean currents . Of all the factors that affect surface ocean currents , wind pattern contributes the most , since its direction , strength and prevalence have direct parallel effects to the directions currents flow to . Wind exerts what is termed to as wind stress ' on the surface of ocean water and this drags the water similar to the wind direction (Badin , Crisciani Furlan , 2003 . The Earth 's rotation influences the pattern of the wind movement . That is , wind direction is curved to the right as it approaches the Northern Hemisphere and then curves to the left upon reaching the Southern Hemisphere . This phenomenon is called the Coriolis effect . The bending of the trade winds and the westerlies due to Coriolis effect then creates gyres , which are the gigantic constant circular flow of wind and currents over the North (clockwise ) and Southern Hemispheres (counterclockwise . Aside from a few minor...