NAEP Science Grade 12

Category - Earth Science

The movement of deep-ocean currents is driven primarily by which of the following?
  1. The transfer of surface wave energy through friction.
  2. Gravitational effects of the Moon.
  3. The orbit and rotational motion of Earth.
  4. Temperature and salinity gradients.
Explanation
Correct Response: D. Deep-ocean currents are part of the ocean's thermohaline circulation, which is driven by temperature and salinity gradients in the oceans. Deep-ocean currents are not affected by surface wave energy (A) as the energy of surface waves dissipates rapidly with depth. The Moon's gravitational pull is a major driver of ocean tide cycles, but it does not have a significant effect on deep- ocean currents (B). Although Earth's orbital and rotational motion affects ocean circulation (C), it is not a primary driver of the thermohaline circulation that produces deep-ocean currents. 
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