Temperature Of Ocean Waters
The temperature of ocean water may vary from -2°C near the poles to 30°C in the tropic regions. The average temperature of the ocean surface is around 20°C. The ocean surface is warmer in low latitude regions and the surface water at the poles is much colder. Deep ocean water are really cold in nature.
Factors Affects The Temperature Of Ocean Waters
Here are some major factors that affects the temperature of ocean waters as mentioned below.
- Latitude is a major factor the affects the temperature of ocean waters. Temperature decreases from the equator to the poles due to less sunlight reaching higher latitudes.
- Northern hemisphere oceans receive more heat due to more land contact. As a result in higher surface water temperatures become so hot.
- Prevailing winds also affects the temperature of ocean waters.
- Offshore winds push warm surface water away from the coast, causing cold water upwelling.
- Onshore winds pile up warm water near the coast, raising temperatures of ocean waters.
- Ocean currents are the major contributors to the temperature of ocean waters. Warm currents increase temperatures. Like the Gulf Stream warming eastern North America and Europe is really warm.
- Cool currents lower temperatures. Such as the Labrador and Kurile currents cooling northeastern North America and eastern Siberia respectively have the lower temperature.
Intresting Facts:
Water is essential for life and is scarce in our solar system.
Earth is known as the 'Blue Planet' because it has lots of water on its surface.
Water (Ocean)| Class 11 Chapter 12 Geography Notes
The Ocean Water is the salty water that makes the whole ocean and sea. It is the primary component of the Earth’s hydrosphere which accounts for almost 97% of the Earth’s water. The ocean and sea are the important habitats for so many species of the Earth. It is a complex mixture of 96.5 percent water and 2.5 percent salts. Some smaller amounts of other substances, including dissolved inorganic and organic materials, particulates, and a few atmospheric gases are also present in the Ocean Water.
In this article, we are going to discuss the Water of the Ocean in detail.
Water (Ocean)| Class 11 Chapter 12 Geography Notes