How do ocean currents work? - Jennifer Verduin

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In 1992, a cargo ship carrying bath toys got caught in a storm. Shipping containers washed overboard, and the waves swept 28,000 rubber ducks and other toys into the North Pacific. But they didn’t stick together -- the ducks have since washed up all over the world. How did this happen? Jennifer Verduin dives into the science of ocean currents.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jennifer Verduin
  • Director Mateus Contini, Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Art Director Ricke Ito, Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas
  • Illustrator Ricke Ito
  • Storyboard Artist Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas
  • Character Designer Ricke Ito
  • Animator Carlon Hardt, Kelvin Lima
  • Producer Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas, Liana Vianna
  • Compositor Mateus Contini
  • Editor Mateus Contini
  • Composer Matheus Wittmann
  • Sound Designer Matheus Wittmann
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Here is a basic guide to how ocean currents work around the world. 

Smithsonian has a great video and other resources on ocean currents here. 

Here is a resource from Yale Environment 360 on how climate change is affecting ocean currents.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jennifer Verduin
  • Director Mateus Contini, Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Art Director Ricke Ito, Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas
  • Illustrator Ricke Ito
  • Storyboard Artist Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas
  • Character Designer Ricke Ito
  • Animator Carlon Hardt, Kelvin Lima
  • Producer Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas, Liana Vianna
  • Compositor Mateus Contini
  • Editor Mateus Contini
  • Composer Matheus Wittmann
  • Sound Designer Matheus Wittmann
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

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