How do ocean currents influence the climate of a place?
A) They transport heat over large distances, affecting the wind that blows over the land.
B) They bring cold water from the poles, reducing the temperatures along the coasts. ***
C) They draw out moisture from the wind, causing prolonged spells of dry weather.
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D) They bring stormy weather to the coasts that they flow along.
Actually, now Im leaning towards C but someone help!
Oceans actually supply moisture to air, provided the water temperature is warm. Currents generally transport heat OR absorb heat in large quantities.
Read up about El Nino and Arctic currents, for example:
http://www.lookd.com/fish/respiration.html
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/polar/arctic_currents.html
Ocean currents influence the climate of a place primarily by transporting heat over large distances, affecting the wind that blows over the land. This is option A. While ocean currents can also bring cold water from the poles and reduce temperatures along the coasts (option B), this is not the main way in which they impact climate. Ocean currents can draw out moisture from the wind and cause prolonged spells of dry weather (option C), but this is not as direct of an influence on climate as transporting heat. Lastly, while ocean currents can play a role in stormy weather along coasts (option D), this is not universally true for all ocean currents.
The correct answer is B) They bring cold water from the poles, reducing the temperatures along the coasts.
Ocean currents play a significant role in influencing the climate of a place. They act as enormous conveyor belts, transporting heat from one region to another. This heat transfer can have a profound impact on local climates.
In the case of option B, ocean currents bring cold water from the polar regions towards the equator. This can significantly lower the temperatures along the coasts that the currents flow by. For example, the California Current, which flows along the western coast of the United States, brings cooler water from the north, helping to moderate temperatures in the region.
By bringing cold water, ocean currents can also affect the formation of fog and cloud cover. Cold water cools the air above it, leading to cooler, more stable atmospheric conditions. This can increase the likelihood of fog formation, affecting visibility and potentially reducing temperatures even further.
It is important to note that while ocean currents can have a significant impact on local climates, they are not the sole determinant. Other factors, such as prevailing winds, proximity to landmasses, and elevation, also play a role in shaping a region's climate.