How Does Plate Tectonics and Ocean Currents Affect Climate Change?

Jesse Tonkin | Biodiversity Andy Stone | LSG 18 Kay Gillett

The climate, or weather conditions, of a particular area can be altered by various factors which can
cause the temperature to either rise or fall. The earths crust is comprised of enormous sections
called tectonic plates. This layer sits above the mantle; a never-ending ocean of magma (Williams,
2015). The current of this magma causes the tectonic plates to move, resulting in phenomena such
as earthquakes and the formation of mountain ranges. An ocean current is a continuous, directed
movement of seawater generated by forces such as wind and gravity (Rahmstorf, 2009). Both plate
tectonics and ocean currents influence climates, locally and worldwide.

Orogens or orogenic belts (a type of mountain) are formed when a continental tectonic plate is
crumpled and pushed upwards to form mountain ranges (Johnson, 2012). This involves a variety of
geological processes, collectively known as orogenesis (Harley, 2012). These mountains, once
formed, can have a great impact on the climate of the surrounding area. The most well-known way
that this is caused is called the rain shadow effect. When an air mass moves from a low elevation
(the bottom of the mountain) to high elevation (the top of the mountain), it expands and cools. The
cool air does not have the ability to hold water
as effectively and forms clouds which readily
precipitate as they rise up the mountain.
When the air reaches the opposite side of the
mountain, it warms and the clouds dissipate.
As a result, one side of mountain ranges will
commonly be wet and green, while the other
will be dry and desertous (Rutledge, 2011).
Death Valley, the hottest place on earth, is a
desert in the US states of California and
Nevada. The conditions here are caused by an
enormous rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada
Figure 1: The rain shadow effect (Dzoma, 2015)
mountain range (Hatheway, 2008).

The almost constant movement of tectonic plates, however small, can alter the elevation,
distribution and location of land masses. This continental distribution can cause climate change
through a variety of ways. Different types of surface reflect different amounts of solar radiation. The
measure of the different reflectivity of the earths surface is called Albedo (NC State University,
2013). The basic principles of this are comparable to those strategies used by people living in warm
climates. Buildings are painted white to keep them cool because the white surfaces reflect the suns
energy. Black surfaces reflect much less and absorb the heat instead (Shell, 2013). The surface of the
earth has a vast range of colours, from crystal white snow, to the dark surfaces of the oceans and
forests. Each surface has a specific effect on the climate. For example, places covered in snow reflect
more heat than those with darker surfaces. When an area is elevated or moved, it may gain or lose
snow and reflect more or less heat as a result. In this way, plate tectonics can have a great effect on
the global climate. Additionally, continental distribution can cause ocean currents to be blocked and
the warm water is not transported, usually lowering the temperature of the destination of the
current.
 When magma from the earths mantle works its
way through crack in the tectonic plates,
volcanoes are formed. This is increased or
caused by the movement of the plates. Volcanic
eruptions release various things including
numerous greenhouse gases (UCAR, 2010).
These include water vapour, carbon dioxide and
methane. These gases accumulate in the
atmosphere and cause the greenhouse effect.
This means that heat that would travel from
earth into outer space is trapped within the
atmosphere, largely increasing the global temperature. If this effect Figure 2: The effects of greenhouse gases
continues at the current rate it will be detrimental to almost all life on (Nasa, 2016)
earth and the diversity of plants and animals will greatly decrease (NASA, 2016).

In the upper 100 metres of the oceans surface, the

current is mainly driven by wind. However, ocean
currents also flow thousands of metres below the
surface (NOAA, 2015). These deep-ocean currents are
caused by differences in water density, which in turn,
is controlled by temperature (thermo) and salinity
(haline). This process is known as thermohaline
circulation (NOAA, 2015). Water has increased density
when it becomes colder or more saline. There are
many factors that alter these currents such as level of
evaporation and the formation of sea ice. The
Figure 3: Deep-sea ocean currents thermohaline circulation has a large impact on the earths climate. It plays
(Wiki, 2016) an important role in supplying heat to the Polar Regions which determines
the rate of sea ice formation, altering other aspects of the climate system, such as Albedo (Russel,
2007).

There are many means with which climate is altered and controlled by both plate tectonics and
ocean currents. These effects must be monitored and an effort must be made to ensure that the
earths climate does not change to a degree that species will not be able to survive.
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