Just before the break, we discussed the causes of ocean currents, both deep currents and surface currents. When we returned on Wednesday, we learned how currents can affect climate. As an example, several places in northern Europe have much milder climates than places at similar latitudes in North America and Asia. This is because the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift carry warmer water in that direction. This, in turn, warms the air which gets carried on land and keeps the climate warmer.
Similarly, the California Current from the northern Pacific Ocean carries cooler water along the west coast of the U. S. This keeps the temperature from getting to hot and creates what we, often, think of as being typical California weather. Basically in the 60's and 70's year round. However, this is only typical on the coast, much of the land further inland is much hotter.
In general, warm currents flow away from the equator and cold currents flow toward the equator.
Thursday, we will be looking at tides. This should be mostly review from 6th grade science. Friday will be about waves and wave action on the shoreline. We should be able to cover all of this by Friday, have a review on Monday and take a test over ocean currents, tides, and waves on Tuesday. This may get pushed back a day so we will take our test the day before our day off. It just depends on how much the students remember.
Oh, and KSS is due on Friday this week instead of the usual Thursday. Same thing will apply for next week since we have Thursday off.
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