Currents
What causes most surface currents?
Wind
Ocean waves are what type of wave?
Orbital waves
What is a tide?
The rhythmic rise and fall of surface waters in the oceans
What is the Coriolis effect?
Earth's rotation influences currents by a force
What is a gyre?
A large circular pattern of ocean movement caused by the meeting up of several currents
What is upwelling?
a process where deep cold water rises towards the surface bringing nutrients?
How is wave speed calculated?
It is calculated by multiplying the wavelength by frequency.
What kind of tide do the Gulf of Mexico and Vietnam experience?
Diurnal tide
What is Ekman Spiral?
How many major world gyres are there?
5
What causes deep ocean circulation?
Differences in water temperature, density and salinity (thermohaline circulation)
What is the highest point of a wave?
Crest
What kind of tide does the West Coast of US experience?
Mixed tide
Ekman transport moves seawater about ____ to the right in the _________ Hemisphere.
90 degrees, Northern
What direction do gyres move in the northern hemisphere?
Right / Clockwise
What is counterclockwise?
Currents move this way in the southern hemisphere
What is a Tsunami?
When earthquakes, landslides, etc. make a wave
A _______ _______ is when the ocean is pulled outward due to the moon and sun's gravitational pull on the Earth.
Tidal Bulge
What is El Nino?
A weather event that brings warm water to the West Coast of the US
How large is the great Pacific Garbage Patch?
Twice the size of Texas
How does ocean circulation affect world climate?
Ocean circulation is responsible for moving heat throughout the world and therefore determines climate.
What are disturbing forces?
Forces that create waves such as wind storms or seismic activity
What kind of tide does the Eastern US experience?
Semidiurnal
What causes downwelling and why is it beneficial?
It occurs when water is pushed against a coastline, forcing surface water to sink down. Downwelling is a key component to keeping the ocean oxygenated.
What direction do gyres move in the southern hemisphere?
Counterclockwise