Seas and ocean currents

In short: Oceans cover about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. Ocean currents transport heat and shape climate, weather and fisheries.

In more detail: They are driven by wind, Earth’s rotation, and differences in temperature and salinity.

In detail

• Oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic Ocean (kontinente-und-ozeane).
• Surface currents: Driven by winds, deflected by Earth’s rotation.
• Gulf Stream: Brings warm water to northern Europe and moderates the climate.
• Deep circulation: Cold, salty water sinks, the “global conveyor belt”.
• El Niño: Periodic warming of the Pacific changes weather worldwide.
• Tides: Moon and sun cause ebb and flow (gezeiten-ebbe-und-flut).
• Salinity: On average about 3.5 percent.
• Threats: Warming, acidification and plastic waste (klimawandel-grundlagen).