Unit 7: Oceans and Climate

Big Idea: Local, regional, and global climates are patterns of atmospheric circulation driven by temperature differences in water, land and the atmosphere which involves the exchange of matter and energy between the ocean and atmosphere.
Learning Targets:

I can analyze the interactions between the major systems (geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere) that make up the Earth.
I can explain, using specific examples, how a change in one system affects other Earth systems.
I can describe natural processes in which heat transfer in the Earth occurs by conduction, convection, and radiation.
I can explain how energy changes form through Earth systems.
I can describe the major causes for the ocean’s surface and deep water currents, including the prevailing winds, the Coriolis effect, unequal heating of the Earth, changes in water temperature and salinity in high latitudes, and basin shape.
I can explain how the interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere influence global and regional climate; including the major concepts of heat transfer by ocean currents, thermohaline circulation, boundary currents, evaporation, precipitation, climate zones, and the ocean as a major carbon dioxide reservoir.
I can explain the dynamics (including ocean-atmosphere interactions) of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and its effect on continental climate.
I can identify factors affecting seawater density and salinity and describe how density affects oceanic layering and currents.
I can explain the differences between maritime and continental climates with regard to oceanic currents.
I can explain how the Coriolis Effect controls oceanic circulation.

Ocean Movements

The water in the ocean is constantly moving. Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. Waves are caused by the winds over the ocean. And currents are rivers within the ocean that move due to temperature and density differences.

Oceans: Earth's Last Frontier Cochran, 1995 . Full Video.
Discovery Education. Web. 20 February 2014. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

Ocean Currents

The main force behind ocean surface currents is the strong, steady winds that prevail in many areas on the planet. The surface currents tend to parallel the currents in the atmosphere. Ocean currents can have strong effects on the climate.

Discovery Education. Web.
<http://www.discoveryeducation.com>

Convection

Claims that convection, a type of heat, is responsible for the global distribution of heat on Earth and influences wind, ocean currents, and plate tectonics. Wind and ocean currents distribute temperatures around the planet through convection cells. Convection also transfers heat from Earth's hot core to the cool surface.

Standard Deviants Teaching Systems: Earth Science: Module 06: Energetic Earth Cerebellum, 2013 . Full Video.
Discovery Education. Web. 24 February 2014. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

Climate, Water, and Living Patterns

Our world’s six primary climate regions are the product of latitude, altitude, topography, bodies of water and global wind patterns. The water cycle is explained, as is El Nino and La Nina phenomena. Students will see the importance of water and climate in the study of geography.

Geography Basics: Climate, Water, and Living Patterns Colman Communications, 2001 . Full Video.
Discovery Education. Web. 25 February 2014. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

Atmosphere and Oceans

This video covers the atmosphere and ocean currents as well as the impact they have on Earth's weather and climate. The Earth is warmed in part by convection heat produced by solar energy, which is distributed through wind and ocean currents. Cold ocean currents spread cooler temperatures to warm areas, while warm ocean currents spread warmer temperatures to cool areas, thereby regulating coastal climates.

Standard Deviants Teaching Systems: Earth Science: Module 07: Atmosphere and Oceans Cerebellum, 2013 . Full Video.
Discovery Education. Web. 13 March 2014. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.