How do prevailing winds produce ocean currents
Heat from the sun causes circulation patterns of warm and cold air
Earths rotation causes air movement
Tornadoes call circulation patterns of warm and cold air
The angle of earths axis causes air movement
1 answer
Prevailing winds are the result of the combined effects of the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun, the Earth's rotation, and the ocean's surface currents. As warm air rises at the equator and moves towards the poles, it creates high-pressure systems that cause the winds to blow in a consistent direction. These prevailing winds drive the movement of ocean currents by pushing surface waters in the direction of the wind. The combination of wind and the Earth's rotation creates a spiral effect that drives the movement of ocean currents around the globe.