Question

The reasons for the uneven distribution of temperature at the ocean surface.

1. Oceanic Currents

2. Prevailing winds 

3. Distance from the land 

Select the correct answer using the code given below.  

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3 

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : 1, 2 and 3 

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3

Continents covers 29 percent of the surface of the earth and the remainder is under oceanic water. The great masses of surface water flowing in normal patterns across the oceans are ocean currents.

• In the cold regions, warm ocean currents increase the temperature, and in warm ocean areas, the cold currents lower the temperature.
• Off-shore winds push warm surface waters away from the coast, contributing to upwelling, while onshore winds accumulate warm water along the coast, increasing the temperature.
• Owing to their interaction with land, the surrounding ocean/sea-land absorbs more heat, so the oceans in the northern hemisphere are warmer compared to the southern hemisphere.

• The North Atlantic Drift, which is rare for such high latitudes, keeps the coasts of the North Sea (west coast of Europe) wet.
• In the north Pacific ocean, the warm waters of the Kuroshio current hold the ports of the Alaskan coast ice-free in winter.