Tides
Currents
Waves
Tsunamis
Misc.
100
What two celestial objects influence tides? Based upon their size and distance from Earth, which is more influential object and how greater is the strength of its influence?
Moon & Sun. 2:1 (Solar influence is roughly 1/2 that of the moon.)
100
High air pressure at the surface and low air pressure at elevation is associated with what atmospheric conditions (climate)? What line of latitude has these conditions?
Warm, dry conditions at 30 degrees N or S (subtropical high).
100
What are the three types of waves?
Seas, swell, & surf.
100
List 5 causes of tsunamis.
Earthquake, volcanic eruption, glacial calving, landslide, or meteorite impact.
100
What is the distance from the Earth to the Sun?
93 million miles.
200
When the influence of the sun & moon are aligned, a wide tidal range is generated. When the influence of the sun & moon are perpendicular to one another, a small tidal range is generated. These are known as...
Spring Tides & Neap Tides
200
What causes the movement of fluids across the surface of the earth to be deflected?
Rotation of the Earth (Coriolis Effect)
200
What is the fetch?
Distance over which wind blows in a single direction.
200
List four possible warning signs of an on-coming tsunami.
Earthquake, noticeable fall in water level, roaring sound, warning system goes off.
200
What is the highest tidal height in the Bay of Fundy?
~48-53ft.
300
List the three types of tidal patterns experiences along coastlines. Which is the most common?
Semidiurnal, mixed-semidiurnal, & diurnal. Semi-diurnal is most common.
300
List the three massive atmospheric convection cells generated by solar influence on air masses. Give the latitude over which these cells are located.
Hadley Cell (0-30 degrees) Ferrel Cell (30-60 degrees) Polar Cell (60-90 degrees)
300
What is the best way to escape a riptide? Why?
Swim perpendicular to the shoreline to escape the break in the sandbar that is associated with a strong outgoing current.
300
What is the estimated death toll associated with the Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean?
~200,000 deaths
300
What is What is the distance between the Earth and the Moon?
240,000 miles.
400
What location has the largest tidal range in the world?
Bay of Fundy in the Canandian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
400
What main global wind patterns set up across Earth's surface due to atmospheric convection and Coriolis? What is the term for a net transport of current perpendicular to these winds as they move across ocean surfaces?
NE trade winds, SW trade winds, Westerlies, Polar Easterlies. Ekman Transport.
400
What happens to waves as they approach the shoreline and begin to "feel" the sea bed? If a wave is breaking along the shoreline at 10 feet, what is the wavelength?
The bottom of the wave experiences friction with the sea floor, which elongates the wave's orbit so the top of the wave spills over the bottom half and it swashes up onto the beach. 70ft wave length.
400
What type of plate boundary is most likely associated with tsunami-inducing earthquakes?
Convergent Plate Boundary (subduction zone or continental collision zone)
400
What is the angle of axial tilt of the Earth?
23.5 degrees
500
In an ocean basin, a point in the ocean that has no tidal action is called a:
Amphidromic point.
500
What two currents influence water temperature on the United States' east and west continental coastlines?
Gulf Stream North Atlantic Current & California Current
500
What term describes the movement of sediments along a coastline? What must be true of the waves for this to occur? What do residents on the shoreline build to keep the sand in front of their homes?
Longshore transport. Waves must come in from a direction at an angle to the shoreline. Groins.
500
Name 5 states that are at the greatest risk for tsunamis in the United States.
Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California.
500
What is the name of the volcano in the Canary Islands that could possibly be the source of a tsunami in the Atlantic Ocean?
La Palma
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