Oceanography Vocabulary Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the Pelagic Zone?

A micro-organism

A type of tide

The open ocean (correct)

A shallow area of the ocean floor

Define Continental Shelf.

A gently sloping shallow area of the ocean floor that extends outward from the edge of the continent.

What is Sonar?

A method or device used to determine ocean depth or distances.

What does Density refer to?

The mass of matter, packed into a certain volume. Signup and view all the answers

Define Spring Tide.

A tide with the greatest difference between high and low tide when the sun and moon are aligned in a line with the earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Neap Tide?

A tide with the least difference between low and high tide that occurs when the sun and moon pull at right angles to each other. Signup and view all the answers

Define Oceanic Ridge.

Mountain ranges from each ocean connecting to form a gigantic mountain system. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Guyot?

A seamount with a flat top. Signup and view all the answers

Define Upwelling.

A current created near the shore due to convection causes nutrients from the bottom of the ocean to surface providing nourishment for many kinds of ocean life. Signup and view all the answers

What is Wave Height?

The vertical distance from the crest of a wave to the trough. Signup and view all the answers

Define Benthic Zone.

The bottom of the ocean where little light penetrates; therefore, there is very little life. Signup and view all the answers

What is Wave Length?

The horizontal distance between two wave crests. Signup and view all the answers

Define Continental Rise.

A section of the ocean floor that rises to connect open ocean floor to the continental shelf. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Mid-Ocean Ridge?

The continuous range of mountains on the ocean floor that winds around the Earth. Signup and view all the answers

Define Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Part of the gigantic underwater mountain system in the Atlantic Ocean. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Trench?

A deep canyon in the ocean floor. Signup and view all the answers

Define Salinity.

The total amount of dissolved salts in a water sample. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Trough?

The lowest part of the wave. Signup and view all the answers

Define Waves.

The up and down movement of the ocean's surface caused by wind. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Crest?

The high part of the wave. Signup and view all the answers

Define Plankton.

Small or microscopic plant or animal organisms that float in bodies of water. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Seamount?

Underwater mountain. Signup and view all the answers

Define Continental Slope.

A steep incline leading down from the edge of the continental shelf. Signup and view all the answers

What are Abyssal Plains?

Large flat region of the open ocean floor. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Coriolis Effect?

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Oceanic Zones and Features

Pelagic Zone: Refers to the open ocean, characterized by deeper waters away from the coast.
Continental Shelf: A gently sloping area of shallow ocean floor extending from a continent's edge, crucial for marine biodiversity.
Benthic Zone: The ocean bottom layer with very little light penetration, resulting in minimal life forms.
Abyssal Plains: Vast, flat regions of the ocean floor, found at great depths, offering unique habitats.

Oceanic Processes and Phenomena

Upwelling: A coastal water current that brings nutrient-rich waters from the depths to the surface, vital for supporting marine ecosystems.
Coriolis Effect: Influences the direction of winds and ocean currents due to Earth's rotation, impacting climate and weather patterns.

Oceanographic Measurements

Sonar: A technique utilized to measure ocean depth and distances underwater, essential for navigation and research.
Density: Represents the mass of matter per unit volume, important for understanding water stratification and ocean circulation.

Tidal Dynamics

Spring Tide: Occurs when the sun and moon are aligned with the Earth, resulting in the highest tidal range.
Neap Tide: Characterized by the smallest difference between high and low tides, occurring when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other.

Wave Characteristics

Wave Height: The vertical distance from a wave's crest to its trough, indicating wave strength.
Wave Length: The horizontal distance between consecutive wave crests, important for understanding wave energy.
Crest and Trough: The crest is the peak of the wave, while the trough is its lowest point, essential for studying wave patterns.

Geological Structures

Oceanic Ridge: An underwater mountain system formed by plate tectonics, creating a continuous range across oceans.
Mid-Ocean Ridge: Specifically refers to the central, continuous mountain range in the ocean floors globally.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge: A significant segment of the mid-ocean ridge system located in the Atlantic Ocean.

Marine Life and Ecosystems

Plankton: Microscopic organisms, either plant (phytoplankton) or animal (zooplankton), that drift in ocean waters, foundational to aquatic food webs.
Guyot: A flat-topped underwater mountain, often indicative of past volcanic activity.

Ocean Floor Gradients

Continental Rise: The area transitioning from the continental shelf to the deep ocean floor, connecting shallow waters to the abyss.
Continental Slope: A steep descent from the continental shelf to the ocean floor, critical for understanding oceanic sediment deposits.

Salinity

Salinity: Refers to the total concentration of dissolved salts in ocean water, influencing water density and ocean circulation patterns.

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Description

Test your knowledge of essential oceanography terms with these vocabulary flashcards. Each card provides a key term and its definition, covering aspects of ocean zones, measurement methods, and physical properties. Perfect for students and enthusiasts alike!