Seawater
Study of Oceans
The Ocean's Surface
Currents
Tides and Other
100
The total amount of dissolved salts in sea water.
Salinity
100

The scientific study of the Earth's oceans

Oceanography

100
Any disturbance that transfers energy through matter or empty space is called a _____________
wave
100
_________ currents are afffected by continental deflections, the Coriolis effect, and global winds.
surface
100
When warm surface water is replaced by cold, nutrient-rich deep ocean water, we call this ________________
upwelling
200
Adding salt or _______________ solids to water changes the salinity of the water.
dissolved
200

The Origin of Earth's Water

What are volcanoes?

200
The highest point of a wave is called the ____________ and the lowest point is called the _______________
crest, trough
200
Describe the Coriolis effect. What causes it?
The deflection (bending) of moving objects from a straight path due to the Earth's rotation.
200

What do waves move?

energy

300
Water removal processes such as evaporation and freezing _________________ the salinity of the water.
increase
300
Ocean plates diverge at mid-ocean ridges. What does the word "diverge" or "diverging" mean?
Moving apart or spreading
300
What force causes most ocean waves?
Wind moving over the surface of the water
300
Currents far below the surface formed by differences in water density are called _______ currents
deep
300
An ocean layer in which temperature drops with depth faster than in other layers: ______________
thermocline
400
Precipitation and river and stream run-off (increases / decreases) salinity.
decreases
400
Name 3 tools that we use to study the ocean floor.
Sonar, satellites, underwater vessels, or deep-sea drilling
400
The amount of time it takes a wave to pass a fixed point.
wave period
400

What are gyres and which way do they rotate?

huge, circular systems of wind-driven surface currents that rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

400

What position is the sun, moon and Earth in during Neap tides?  Why does this create the lowest high tides and highest low tides?

The moon is at a right angle to Earth and the sun.  The lunar and solar tides cancel each other's pull.

500
The ___________ of ocean water depends on temperature and salinity.
Density
500

the role of oceans (x3)

Oceans provide moisture, heat, and supply oxygen

500
Name 2 factors (besides wind) that can cause ocean waves.
earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, meterorites/asteroids...
500

What drives the Thermohaline circulation system?

Temperature and Salinity

500

What is the position of the sun, moon and Earth during a spring tide?  Which moon phase creates the highest high tides and lowest low tides?

They are in a straight line 

New moon

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