Question

How do sun and moon cause the ocean currents

Answer 1

The sun warms up parts of the oceans. Warm waters rise just like warm air rises. So, as the warmer ocean waters begin to rise in a particular area, the cooler ocean waters from a different area will move in to replace the warmer ocean waters, and this creates our ocean currents.

Answer 2

The sun and moon cause ocean currents in several ways. First, the sun's heat causes the ocean water to expand and become less dense, which creates a rise in sea level. This rise in sea level creates a current that flows away from the equator and towards the poles.

Second, the moon's gravitational pull causes the oceans to bulge, creating tidal currents. These tidal currents can be very strong, and they cause the water to flow in circular patterns around the coasts.

Third, the moon's gravitational pull also causes the earth to rotate on its axis. This rotation creates a current called the Coriolis effect, which causes the ocean water to move in a circular pattern around the earth. This current helps to distribute heat and nutrients throughout the oceans.

Overall, the sun and moon cause ocean currents through their effects on sea level, tidal forces, and the earth's rotation.