1. Ocean currents are dominated by huge surface gyres that are driven by the global surface wind pattern.
2. Equatorial currents move cold water westward and then poleward along the east coasts of continents.
With regard to the statements given above, which of the following is correct?
Analyzing Statement 1: Ocean Currents and Wind Patterns
The first statement posits that ocean currents are significantly influenced by large surface gyres, which are themselves driven by global surface wind patterns. This statement is fundamentally correct. Large-scale wind systems, like the trade winds and westerlies, exert friction on the ocean surface, transferring energy and initiating movement. This movement, influenced by factors like the Coriolis effect, organizes into vast, circular current systems known as gyres. These surface gyres are indeed the dominant feature of large-scale ocean circulation in major ocean basins.
Analyzing Statement 2: Characteristics of Equatorial Currents
The second statement describes equatorial currents as moving cold water westward and then poleward along the east coasts of continents. Let's break this down:
- Direction: Equatorial currents do flow predominantly westward, driven by the trade winds near the equator.
- Water Temperature: However, these currents typically transport warm tropical or subtropical water, not cold water. Cold water currents are generally found moving towards the equator along the western sides of ocean basins (e.g., California Current, Peru Current).
- Poleward Movement & Coast: While currents do move poleward along the east coasts of continents (like the Gulf Stream), these are warm currents originating from lower latitudes, and this poleward flow is a consequence of the larger gyre system, not the primary definition or function of the equatorial current itself. Furthermore, the statement incorrectly associates this poleward movement with equatorial currents carrying cold water.
Therefore, the description of equatorial currents carrying cold water and moving poleward along the east coasts is inaccurate. Statement 2 is false.
Conclusion on Statements
Based on the analysis:
- Statement 1 is correct, accurately describing the wind-driven nature of ocean gyres.
- Statement 2 is false, mischaracterizing the temperature and direction/location of water transport associated with equatorial currents.
This leads to the conclusion that only Statement 1 is correct.
Similar Questions
- Consider the following statements about the causes of ground surface inversion of temperature :
1. Ground surface inversion is also termed as radiation inversion.
2. The existence of negative lapse rate results in surface inversion.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ? - Consider the following pairs with reference to world climate types and their characteristics :
(Climate) (Characteristic) I. Tropical wet
and dry: Winter dry season II. Mid-latitude
steppe: Mid-latitude semi-arid
or dryIII. Humid
sub-tropical: No dry season, warm
summerIV. Marine west
coast: No dry season, severely
cold summer
How many of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ? - The pattern of planetary winds largely depends upon which of the following factors ?
1. Latitudinal variation of atmospheric heating
2. The distribution of continents and oceans
3. The rotation of earth
Which of the above is/are correct? - Identify the climate type based on the given below characteristics :
1. The annual precipitation is low and is around 15 cm.
2. The development of pronounced winter anticyclones and their weakening in summer sets in monsoon-like reversal of wind in this region.
3. Polewards, summer temperatures are low.
Select the answer from the options given below: - Consider the following statements regarding the rivers of India :
1. The Barak River, the head stream of the Meghna, rises in the hills of Meghalaya.
2. The Ghaggar River does not drain out to the sea and gets lost in the Rajasthan desert.
3. Puthimari and Manas are important tributaries of the Brahmaputra.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? - Eratosthenes, a Greek philosopher measured the Earth's circumference based on the angle of Sun rays at two different points. Which cities were they?
Important Questions from Climatology
In which of the following atmospheric layers ozone gas is concentrated?
Ozone layer depletion is a major phenomenon in :
By which layer of the atmosphere the ultra-violet rays are absorbed ?
______ is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere.
Which of the following is correct about insolation?
I. It influences the distribution of temperature.
II. It increases from the equator towards the poles.
