Ocean Currents and Tides Quiz

A model showing how surface ocean currents change direction and speed with depth, caused by wind and Earth's rotation.

The net water movement caused by the Ekman spiral, which is at a 90-degree angle to the prevailing wind direction in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.

Deflection of moving objects (like water) to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere due to Earth's rotation.

Ocean water movements at the ocean's surface, influenced by wind.

A single high tide and a single low tide per day.

Two high tides and two low tides per day, with nearly equal heights of high and low tides.

Two high tides and two low tides per day with unequal high and low tide heights.

A chart showing regular repeating tidal events (high tides and low tides) for each day.

The difference in pressure between two points in the ocean, caused by wind, continental boundaries, and the Coriolis effect.

A balance between the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force, resulting in circular ocean currents.

A large system of rotating ocean currents, caused by geostrophic flow.

Strong, warm, fast, deep, narrow currents found on the western side of ocean basins.

Weak, cold, slow, shallow, broad currents found on the eastern side of ocean basins.

A major western boundary current in the North Atlantic Ocean, transporting warm water from the tropics toward northern regions.

The Gulf Stream's role in regulating temperatures by transporting warm water from the tropics to higher latitudes.

The global ocean circulation pattern driven by differences in density, influenced by temperature and salinity.

The Ekman spiral is caused by the combined forces of wind and the Coriolis effect. Wind pushes surface water, but due to the Earth's rotation, this water is deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This creates a spiral pattern of water movement as depth increases.

Ekman transport refers to the net movement of water in the upper layer of the ocean due to the Ekman spiral. It's the overall direction of water flow, not just the surface layer.

Ekman transport is 90 degrees to the right of the wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere and 90 degrees to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Coastal upwelling occurs when Ekman transport moves surface water away from the coast, bringing nutrient-rich deeper water to the surface.

Coastal downwelling happens when Ekman transport pushes surface water towards the coast, causing the surface water to sink.

Upwelling is crucial for marine ecosystems because it brings nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface. This supports the growth of phytoplankton, which are the base of the food chain.

The Ekman spiral continues until the water motion effectively stops. This typically occurs at a depth of around 100-150 meters.

Ekman transport is primarily influenced by wind direction and the Coriolis effect. Latitude also plays a role because the Coriolis effect is stronger at higher latitudes.