Honors Oceanography Unit 5 Test Review

Front

What is the Hadley Cell and where does it extend?

Back

The Hadley Cell is the largest atmospheric circulation cell, extending from the equator to between 30 and 40 degrees North and South.

Front

Why does warm air rise?

Back

Warm air rises because it is less dense than cooler air.

Front

What is the Labrador Current?

Back

The Labrador Current is a cold ocean current that flows southward along the coast of Labrador and Newfoundland.

Front

What is the Mozambique Current?

Back

The Mozambique Current is a warm ocean current that flows southward along the eastern coast of Africa.

Front

What is the Greenland Current?

Back

The Greenland Current is a cold ocean current that flows southward along the western coast of Greenland.

Front

What are ocean currents and why are they important?

Back

Ocean currents are large-scale movements of seawater that are driven by wind, water density differences, and the Earth's rotation. They are important for regulating climate, marine ecosystems, and navigation.

Front

What factors influence the formation of ocean currents?

Back

The formation of ocean currents is influenced by wind patterns, the Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect), temperature and salinity differences, and the shape of coastlines.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving objects, such as air and water, caused by the rotation of the Earth, resulting in currents moving to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Front

How do ocean currents affect climate?

Back

Ocean currents affect climate by redistributing heat around the planet, influencing weather patterns, and impacting precipitation and temperature in coastal regions.

Front

What is the difference between surface currents and deep ocean currents?

Back

Surface currents are driven primarily by wind and occur in the upper layer of the ocean, while deep ocean currents are driven by differences in water density and occur below the surface.