Energy is moved from areas of surplus to those of deficit, with warm currents transporting warm water ___ and cold currents taking colder water to ___ latitudes.

• A. Polewards, Lower
• B. Polewards, Higher
• C. Equatorward, Lower
• D. Equatorward, Higher

Answer: (A)

Energy moves from warm to cool areas through ocean currents. Warm currents carry heat toward higher latitudes, so they transport warm water polewards. Cold currents bring cooler water toward the equator, i.e., to lower latitudes. That makes the natural fit polewards for the warm-water flow and lower latitudes for the cold-water flow. This redistribution of heat helps moderate climates in regions like Western Europe, where the Gulf Stream sends warm water polewards, while cold currents like the California and Peru currents move cooler water equatorward.