Understanding Ocean Currents Quiz

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What do ocean currents refer to?

The movement of magma beneath the Earth's crust

The migration of birds across different continents

The flow of air in the atmosphere

The movement of a fluid such as a gas or liquid (correct)

Which environmental factors influence ocean currents?

Solar flares and meteor showers

Moon phases and planetary alignment

Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes

Earth's rotation, wind, gravity, temperature, and salinity (correct)

How do ocean currents affect climate?

By causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

By changing the orbit of the Earth around the Sun

By creating hurricanes and tornadoes

By carrying heat and influencing wind patterns (correct)

Where do surface ocean currents occur?

In the upper layer or surface layer of the ocean Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of ocean currents mentioned in the text?

Surface currents and deep water currents Signup and view all the answers

What forces the southward ocean current to follow the coastlines of Europe and northwest Africa?

Earth's rotational equator Signup and view all the answers

Why do deepwater currents in the ocean move much slower compared to surface currents?

Density variations Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe ocean currents that are driven by differences in temperature and salt content throughout the water?

Thermohaline circulation Signup and view all the answers

Why does water with a higher salt content sink below the surface in the ocean?

Greater density Signup and view all the answers

What happens to water near the Earth's poles as it cools?

It sinks below the surface due to its coolness and increases in salinity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driving force of surface ocean currents?

Wind Signup and view all the answers

How do differences in water density influence ocean currents?

By affecting downward direction based on differences in salinity and temperature Signup and view all the answers

What influences the circular flow of major gyres in the oceans?

Coriolis effect Signup and view all the answers

What causes surface ocean currents to break up and dissipate some of their energy?

Continental deflection Signup and view all the answers

Why do gyres in the northern hemisphere rotate clockwise?

Due to the Coriolis effect Signup and view all the answers

Understanding Ocean Currents Quiz

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