Oceanography 🌊 important keywords
Ocean Temperature Measurement of degree of hotness or coldness of ocean water is called ocean temperature Normally measures in unit of degree C by thermometers Major source of heat Radiation from sun specific heat of water is greater than land Water heats and cools slowly relatively Factors affecting horizontal distribution of ocean temperature Latitude Decreases from equator towards poles due to slanting rays of sun Prevailing wind Offshore winds raise temperature generally Winds blowing from snow covered regions in winter lower surface temperature In trade wind belt, off shore winds initiate upwelling of cooler water from beneath On shore winds pile up warm water to increase temperature to certain extent Ocean currents Warm currents raise temperature and vice versa Gulf Stream – eastern part of North America and west coast of Europe Labrador cold current – north eastern coast of North America Other factors Submarine ridges, local weather conditions like storms Cyclones, hurricanes, fog, cloudiness, evap…
