How Does Atmospheric Climate Influence the Ocean?
The oceans and atmosphere store and exchange energy in the form of heat, moisture, and momentum. The oceans are obviously the Earth’s largest reservoir of moisture. They also absorb heat more effectively than land and ice surfaces, and store heat more efficiently than land. Oceanic heat is released more slowly than on land, keeping coastal areas more temperate. Changes in the energy balance between the oceans and atmosphere play an important role in the planet’s climate change. The circulation of the oceans is affected by variations in atmospheric circulation. Surface currents are driven by the force of the wind pushing on the ocean surface. The frictional drag of the wind on the surface layer of the ocean creates currents. The wind also mixes surface waters creating what is called the mixed layer, where there is little vertical temperature change. Below the mixed layer lies the thermocline, a narrow zone of rapidly dropping temperature. The deep ocean below the thermocline has its own
