What side of a continent would you find faster surface currents?Group of answer choicesnorthwesteastsouthdepends on the season

When considering the speed of surface currents on a continent, the location of these currents is influenced by several factors, including the Coriolis effect, wind patterns, and the geography of the coastlines.

1. Coriolis Effect: In the Northern Hemisphere, moving water is deflected to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is deflected to the left. This phenomenon affects how currents flow along coastlines.

2. Wind Patterns: Trade winds and westerlies contribute significantly to the movement of surface currents. For instance, the easterly trade winds push surface waters toward the west in the tropics, leading to strong westward currents.

3. Geography: The coastal shape can also affect the speed of currents. Areas where the coastline is irregular (like bays or peninsulas) may experience different current speeds due to the constriction and redirection of water flow.

Given these factors, the eastern sides of continents generally experience stronger and faster surface currents compared to the western sides. This is particularly observed in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans where the Gulf Stream and Japan Current (Kuroshio Current) exhibit fast-moving waters along the eastern coasts of their respective continents.

Final Answer

Faster surface currents are typically found on the eastern side of a continent.