(a) Discuss, using specific examples, any four factors that determine the pattern of movement of ocean currents the North Pacific Ocean (b) Select any one cold current in the North Pacific Ocean and outline its effects on thE climate of the adjacent coastland
Explanation
(a)(i) The Planetary Winds: The westerly winds drag the North Pacific Drift from west to east (ii) salinity from the area of greater percentage of salinity the water flows to the areas of lowest salinity hence North Equatorial current flows northwards (iii) Earth's Rotation: As the earth rotates from west to east, it carries the body of water along e.g California current to North Equatorial to Kurosho to North Pacific Drift (iv) Temperature Difference: The water from higher temperature area flows to areas with lower temperature e.g from Equatorial regions to colder region or the Kuroshio or the North Pacific Drift flows towards the north. (b)(i) One cold current in the north pacific ocean in California or Kamchatka current (ii) Effects of the California current (i) Reduction in temperature (ii) Little or no rainfall (iii) Development of coastal fog
