Ocean Current Systems

Ocean currents are large-scale movements of seawater driven by factors like wind, temperature, salinity differences, and the Earth's rotation. They play a crucial role in regulating climate by distributing heat around the planet. Warm currents, such as the Gulf Stream, bring warmer water from the tropics to higher latitudes, while cold currents, like the California Current, move cooler water toward the equator. These currents influence marine ecosystems, weather patterns, and even human activities such as fishing and shipping, making them essential components of Earth's environmental and climatic systems.