Water Bodies Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Order the bodies of water from largest to smallest:

Ocean = Largest Sea = Second largest Gulf = Third largest Bay = Fourth largest Strait = Fifth largest Delta = Sixth largest Sound = Seventh largest Watershed = Eighth largest River = Smallest

What is an ocean?

The body of saline water covering the surface of the Earth.

Which of the following are principal oceans? (Select all that apply)

  • Arctic (correct)
  • Indian (correct)
  • Atlantic (correct)
  • Pacific (correct)

    • What is the smallest ocean?

    <p>Southern or Antarctic Ocean.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define a sea.

    <p>A division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a gulf?

    <p>An arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a bay?

    <p>An indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a strait?

    <p>A narrow passageway connecting two large bodies of water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define a delta.

    <p>A landform at the mouth/source of a river, usually triangular in shape.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How was the Gulf of California formed?

    <p>By the rifting of Baja California from mainland Mexico.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a sound?

    <p>A large sea or ocean inlet larger than a bay.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define a watershed.

    <p>The land area that supplies water to a river system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a river?

    <p>A natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing toward an ocean, lake, sea, or another river.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define a peninsula.

    <p>A geographical formation consisting of land extension surrounded by water on three sides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a cape?

    <p>A headland that dramatically affects ocean currents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a headland?

    <p>Land that sticks out into a bay.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Water Bodies Hierarchy

    • Ordered from largest to smallest: Ocean, Sea, Gulf, Bay, Strait, Delta, Sound, Watershed, River.

    Ocean Overview

    • Oceans cover saline water across Earth; considered one continuous body with various subdivisions.
    • Four principal oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic.
    • The Southern or Antarctic is the fifth smallest ocean.

    Sea Characteristics

    • A sea is a large body of salt water partially surrounded by land.
    • Examples include Sargasso Sea, Sea of Cortez, Mediterranean Sea.

    Gulf Definition

    • A gulf is a prominent arm of an ocean or sea, larger than a bay and partially enclosed by land.
    • Notable examples: Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of California.

    Bay Definition

    • A bay is an indentation in a shoreline that is larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf.
    • Notable examples: Hudson Bay, San Francisco Bay.

    Strait Definition

    • A strait is a narrow water passage connecting two larger bodies of water.
    • Example: Strait of Gibraltar.

    Delta Formation

    • A delta is formed at the mouth of a river, usually triangular, from sediment deposition.
    • Represents where a river meets a larger body of water.

    Gulf of California Formation

    • Formed by the geological rifting of Baja California from mainland Mexico.

    Sound Explained

    • A sound is a large inlet of the sea or ocean, larger than a bay and deeper than a bight.
    • Also defines narrow channels between land masses; examples include Puget Sound in Washington.

    Watershed Definition

    • A watershed is a land area that channels water to a river system.
    • It collects all water that drains off or under it to one place.

    River Characteristics

    • A river is a freshwater watercourse flowing towards oceans, lakes, seas, or other rivers.

    Geographical Features

    • A peninsula extends land into a body of water, surrounded by water on three sides.
    • A cape is a prominent headland influencing ocean currents, such as Cape Horn.

    Headland Definition

    • A headland is land that protrudes into a bay, often characterized by steep cliffs or rugged terrain.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of various water bodies and their order from largest to smallest with this flashcard quiz. Explore definitions and examples of oceans, seas, and other water bodies to enhance your understanding of geography.

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