Answer the following in brief:

What are the factors that generate the ocean currents?

The factors that generate ocean currents are: -

• Earth’s rotation

Based on Earth’s rotation ocean currents run clockwise in motion in the northern hemisphere and anti-clockwise motion in the southern hemisphere.

Latitude also plays a crucial role in influencing the ocean currents.

• Prevailing winds

Prevailing wind patterns move ocean currents in directions that the currents would not naturally move to.

• Differences in temperature and salinity of ocean water

Temperature and salinity differences are important determiners of ocean currents. Warm ocean currents have more potential energy and can transverse larger distances. Salinity slows the influence of temperature variation in oceans.