Final answer:
Ocean currents, jet streams, and trade winds all significantly influence global weather patterns by distributing heat and moisture. They are crucial in the Earth's climate system, and thus, all of these elements contribute to and affect global weather patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following circulates and affects global weather patterns? Ocean currents, jet streams, and trade winds all play significant roles in influencing global weather patterns. These atmospheric and oceanic circulations are crucial for the redistribution of heat from the equator towards the poles, thus playing a key role in global climate systems.
Ocean Currents
Ocean currents are large-scale flows of seawater that move through the world's oceans. They are like rivers within the ocean, formed by differences in temperature, salinity, and the Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect). A well-known example is El Niño, a warm ocean current that periodically disrupts normal weather patterns, often leading to extreme weather events globally.
Jet Streams
Jet streams are fast flowing ribbons of air that travel around the Earth high up in the atmosphere. The combination of the planet's rotation and the heating of the atmosphere by the sun creates these high-altitude winds that can reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Jet streams act as steering currents for weather systems, affecting the formation and movement of storms.
Trade Winds
Trade winds are another major component of the Earth's atmospheric circulation. Blowing predominantly from the east in the tropics, they are caused by the air moving towards the low-pressure zone at the equator. The trade winds also contribute to ocean currents by driving surface waters.
All of these elements work together to distribute heat and moisture around the planet, thus influencing global weather patterns. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is 4) All of the above.