Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation Vocab Flashcard

Front

What is upwelling?

Back

The vertical movement of water toward the ocean's surface, bringing nutrients from the deep ocean.

Front

What are trade winds?

Back

Steady winds that flow from east to west between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south latitude.

Front

What is a land breeze?

Back

Cool air over the land moving towards lower pressure over the water at night.

Front

What happens to warm air?

Back

Warm air rises and flows north and south, away from the equator.

Front

What is a sea breeze?

Back

Cool air over the ocean moving towards lower pressure over the land during the day.

Front

What is atmospheric circulation?

Back

The large-scale movement of air that distributes heat and moisture around the Earth.

Front

What is oceanic circulation?

Back

The large-scale movement of water in the oceans, driven by wind, temperature, and salinity differences.

Front

What are polar westerlies?

Back

Winds that blow from west to east in the polar regions.

Front

What are polar easterlies?

Back

Winds that blow from east to west in the polar regions.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth.