Important Questions Class 8 Chapter 5 Geography Maharashtra Board

Ocean Currents

Short Questions 

1. What are the two types of ocean currents based on temperature?

• Warm currents and cold currents.

2. What is the primary cause of deep ocean currents?

• Differences in temperature and salinity.

3. What happens when warm and cold currents meet?

• Thick fog forms, and rich fishing grounds develop.

4. Why do ocean currents move in a circular pattern?

• Due to the Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect).

5. What is the effect of the Gulf Stream on Western Europe?

• It makes the climate warmer and increases precipitation.

6. What is the flow direction of ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere?

• Clockwise direction.

7. Which ocean current affects the climate of the South American coast?

• The Humboldt Current.

8. What is the approximate velocity of ocean currents?

• 2 to 10 km per hour.

9. What is the name of the circular pattern of currents in the Atlantic Ocean?

• Gyre.

10. What type of ocean currents are influenced by Monsoon winds?

• Indian Ocean currents.

Long Questions 

1. Explain the importance of ocean currents in marine ecosystems.

• Ocean currents transport nutrients and plankton, supporting marine life and creating rich fishing grounds.

2. How does the meeting of warm and cold currents affect human activities?

• It creates fog, making navigation difficult but also forming productive fishing zones.

3. What is the role of planetary winds in ocean currents?

• Planetary winds push surface currents over long distances, creating circular movement patterns.

4. How do deep ocean currents contribute to the global climate system?

• They redistribute heat and nutrients across oceans through thermohaline circulation.

5. Why do ports in Eastern Canada freeze in winter?

• The Labrador Current brings cold Arctic water, causing freezing conditions in winter.

6. What is the significance of the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean?

• It is a still water zone surrounded by ocean currents, supporting unique marine life.

7. Why is the climate of Western Europe milder despite its high latitude?

• The warm Gulf Stream raises temperatures and increases moisture, making winters mild.

8. What is the effect of the Humboldt Current on South America’s western coast?

• It cools the coastal region, creating dry desert-like conditions and rich marine life.

9. How do ocean currents affect precipitation patterns along coasts?

• Warm currents increase precipitation, while cold currents reduce it, creating dry areas.

10. Why do Indian Ocean currents change direction seasonally?

• They are influenced by Monsoon winds, which reverse direction between summer and winter.