Oceanography Vocabulary

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Continental Slope

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The steep boundary between the continental shelf and the continental rise.

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Surface Currents

Back

Currents that move because of wind.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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Passive Margin

Back

A region that contains a broad shelf, rise, and slope, representing a gradual border between ocean and continental crust.

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Neap Tide

Back

A tide minimum range that occurs during the first and third quarters of the moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

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Coriolis Effect

Back

The movement of wind and water to the right or left caused by Earth's rotation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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Continental Shelf

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The submerged border of a continent that slopes gently into the ocean.

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Thermohaline Circulation

Back

A global ocean circulation pattern driven by differences in water density, affected by temperature and salinity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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Upwelling

Back

The process where deep, cold water rises to the surface, bringing nutrients.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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Salinity

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The measure of dissolved salts in water.

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Ocean Gyres

Back

Large systems of circulating ocean currents, particularly those involved with large wind movements.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6