wind-driven ocean currents

Wind-driven ocean currents are large, continuous flows of seawater caused primarily by the wind moving across the ocean surface. When winds blow steadily, they transfer energy to the water through friction, causing it to move. These currents help distribute heat, nutrients, and gases around the globe, influencing climate and weather patterns. The Coriolis effect, due to Earth's rotation, causes currents to veer right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere. Major examples include the Gulf Stream and the West Wind Drift, which play vital roles in regulating temperatures and supporting marine ecosystems worldwide.