Ocean Currents Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What primarily drives surface currents in the ocean?

  • Underwater topography
  • Salinity differences
  • Thermal expansion of water
  • Wind (correct)

What is the Coriolis effect related to?

  • Changes in water temperature
  • Salinity variations in ocean water
  • The rotation of the Earth (correct)
  • Pressure systems in the atmosphere

How do continents affect oceanic currents?

  • They enhance the speed of currents
  • They generate upwelling zones
  • They create whirlpools
  • They prevent the continuous flow and deflect water (correct)

What is a gyre?

<p>A circular flow around an ocean basin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does friction play in ocean currents?

<p>It drags water along due to wind (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT responsible for the formation of deep ocean currents?

<p>Wind patterns (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes thermohaline circulation within the ocean?

<p>Variations in density due to temperature and salinity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which description best defines deep currents?

<p>Utilize vertical and horizontal motions to circulate (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about surface currents is accurate?

<p>They primarily result from horizontal motion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary force that causes the equatorial currents to turn at the western boundary of the ocean basin?

<p>Coriolis effect (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which winds contribute to the formation of equatorial currents in the ocean?

<p>Trade winds (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why cannot equatorial currents cross land when they reach the western boundary of an ocean basin?

<p>They are redirected by land masses (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which hemisphere do trade winds blow from the northeast toward the equator to create currents?

<p>Northern Hemisphere (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the Coriolis force on equatorial currents as they move toward the western boundary?

<p>It deflects them away from the equator (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of western boundary currents?

<p>They are fast, narrow, and deep. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of water do eastern boundary currents transport?

<p>Cool water from the poles. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the flow direction of western boundary currents?

<p>They flow from the equator to the poles. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do western boundary currents differ from eastern boundary currents in terms of water temperature?

<p>Western boundary currents carry warmer water, while eastern boundary currents carry cooler water. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is false regarding western and eastern boundary currents?

<p>Both types of currents are deep and narrow. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs as a result of the wind's friction force on ocean surface waters?

<p>Ekman transport (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what depths does Ekman transport primarily affect ocean water?

<p>10-100m (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the movement of ocean water change with depth during Ekman transport?

<p>Water moves at an increasing angle to the wind with depth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the impact of wind on ocean surface waters?

<p>Wind influences upper ocean depths and causes changes in speed and direction with depth (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between surface and subsurface ocean currents as a result of Ekman transport?

<p>Surface currents lead and influence the direction of subsurface currents (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Ekman transport lead to in terms of ocean water movement?

<p>Upwelling and downwelling (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary principle that governs Ekman transport?

<p>Mass conservation laws (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process replenishes water that is displaced due to Ekman transport?

<p>Ekman suction or pumping (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does wind influence Ekman transport?

<p>It affects the direction and amount of upwelling and downwelling (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the outcome of Ekman transport in ocean environments?

<p>It promotes nutrient distribution through upwelling (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the depth range at which the Ekman spiral occurs?

<p>100 to 150 meters (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the average direction of water movement in the Ekman spiral and the wind direction?

<p>Water moves at a 90° angle to the wind direction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Coriolis effect influence ocean water movement within the Ekman spiral?

<p>It causes water to move at a 90° angle from the surface wind direction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term Ekman transport refer to?

<p>The average direction of water movement in the Ekman spiral (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the diagram of the Ekman spiral primarily illustrate?

<p>The direction of water movement in relation to wind and depth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which gyre is located in the North Atlantic Ocean?

<p>North Atlantic-Columbus Gyre (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the gyre found in the Indian Ocean?

<p>Indian Ocean-Majid Gyre (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which gyre is associated with the South Pacific Ocean?

<p>South Pacific-Heyerdahl Gyre (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following gyres is found in the North Pacific?

<p>North Pacific-Turtle Gyre (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which gyre corresponds to the South Atlantic region?

<p>South Atlantic-Navigator Gyre (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of surface water deflection due to Ekman transport in the Northern Hemisphere?

<p>90° to the right (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs due to the convergence of water in the center of a gyre?

<p>Creation of a hill of water (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the height of the water pile up in the center of a gyre typically measure?

<p>Up to 2 meters (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the rotation direction of gyres in the Northern Hemisphere?

<p>Clockwise (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the convergence of water in gyres lead to?

<p>Piling up of water creating a height difference (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes the fast and deep nature of western boundary currents?

<p>The Coriolis effect and eastward rotation of the Earth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Coriolis effect influence the structure of ocean gyres?

<p>It leads to a westward offset in the center of the geostrophic 'hill' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would be the shape of ocean gyres without the Coriolis effect?

<p>They would be symmetrical with no displacement towards the west (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is significant regarding the western boundary currents compared to eastern boundary currents?

<p>Western boundary currents carry warmer, deeper water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What diagrammatic representation indicates the actual flow pattern of ocean gyres including the Coriolis effect?

<p>Curves that show a westward offset in the geostrophic flow (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ocean Current

A flowing mass of water in the ocean

Surface Currents

Ocean currents driven mostly by wind.

Coriolis Effect

Earth's rotation that influences ocean currents.

Ocean Gyre

Large circular flow in the ocean.

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Continents

Land masses that affect ocean currents paths.

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Deep Currents

Ocean currents in the deeper parts of the ocean, driven by density differences.

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Thermohaline Circulation

A global density-driven ocean circulation pattern.

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Density Differences

Differences in water's weight due to temperature and salinity.

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Trade winds

Winds blowing from southeast in Southern Hemisphere and northeast in Northern Hemisphere, creating equatorial currents.

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Equatorial currents

Ocean currents driven by trade winds near the equator.

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Western boundary currents

Ocean currents deflected by Coriolis effect from the equator at the western side of the ocean.

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Columbus Gyre

The large circular current pattern in the North Atlantic Ocean.

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Navigator Gyre

The large circular current pattern in the South Atlantic Ocean.

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Turtle Gyre

The large circular current pattern in the North Pacific Ocean.

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Heyerdahl Gyre

The large circular current pattern in the South Pacific Ocean.

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Majid Gyre

The large circular current pattern in the Indian Ocean.

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What's the difference between Eastern & Western Boundary Currents?

Western boundary currents are fast, narrow, and deep, carrying warm water towards the poles. Eastern boundary currents are slower, wider, and shallower, carrying cool water towards the equator.

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Why are Western Boundary Currents fast?

They are driven by strong winds and the Coriolis effect, which pushes them towards the west.

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How do Western Boundary Currents affect climate?

They transport warm water to higher latitudes, moderating the climate of those regions.

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Ekman Transport

The movement of water in the upper ocean, caused by wind friction and influenced by the Coriolis effect.

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Wind Friction

The force exerted by wind on the ocean surface, dragging the water along.

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Ekman Spiral

The changing direction of water movement with depth, forming a spiraling pattern.

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Ekman Layer

The upper ocean layer influenced by Ekman transport, typically about 100 meters deep.

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Surface Layer

The top layer of water in the ocean, most affected by wind and the Ekman spiral.

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How deep does the Ekman spiral extend?

The Ekman spiral typically extends to a depth of 100 to 150 meters, where the wind's influence decreases.

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Ekman Suction

Upwelling of water caused by Ekman transport, where surface water is moved away from a coastline, drawing deeper water up.

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Ekman Pumping

Downwelling of water caused by Ekman transport, pushing surface water towards a coastline, sinking it down.

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Mass Conservation

The principle that water displaced by Ekman transport must be replaced by either Ekman suction or Ekman pumping, ensuring the balance of water in a region.

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How does Ekman transport impact biogeochemical properties?

Ekman transport leads to upwelling and downwelling, which influence the distribution of nutrients, oxygen, and other chemical properties in the ocean, ultimately impacting marine life.

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Geostrophic 'Hill'

A dome of water created by ocean currents, offset to the west due to the Coriolis effect.

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How Does Earth's Rotation Affect Ocean Gyres?

Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect) causes a westward intensification of ocean gyres, leading to a higher 'hill' of water on the western side of the basin.

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What causes water to pile up in the center of a gyre?

Ekman transport deflects surface water 90° to the right in the Northern Hemisphere (left in the Southern Hemisphere). This causes water to converge in the center of a gyre, creating a 'hill' of water.

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Gyre

A large system of rotating ocean currents, typically centered around a high-pressure zone.

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How does a gyre create a 'hill' of water?

The convergence of water due to Ekman transport causes a buildup of water in the center of the gyre, creating a mound that can be up to 2 meters high.

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What does the 'hill' of water in a gyre mean?

The raised center of the ocean gyre indicates a higher sea level and increased water pressure in the center, impacting ocean circulation.

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