GOL 111 Ch. 6 & 7 Review Flashcardizz

Front

What is an eastern boundary current?

Back

Eastern boundary currents are ocean currents that flow along the eastern edges of ocean basins, typically characterized by their cold temperatures and shallow depths. Examples include the Canary Current and the Peru Current.

Front

Which current is NOT an eastern boundary current?

Back

The Gulf Stream is NOT an eastern boundary current; it is a western boundary current.

Front

What is the plane of the ecliptic?

Back

The plane of the ecliptic is the imaginary plane that extends through Earth's orbit around the Sun, defining the path that the Sun appears to take through the sky over the course of a year.

Front

What drives the Ekman Spiral?

Back

The Ekman Spiral is driven by the wind, friction, and the Coriolis Effect, which causes water to move at an angle to the wind direction.

Front

What ice feature forms after slush develops at the sea surface?

Back

Pancake ice forms after slush develops at the sea surface, characterized by circular, flat pieces of ice.

Front

What season begins with the Vernal Equinox?

Back

Spring begins with the Vernal Equinox, marking the transition from winter to spring.

Front

Define the Coriolis Effect.

Back

The Coriolis Effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects (like air and water) caused by the rotation of the Earth, resulting in currents and winds curving to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Front

What is the significance of the pycnocline in oceanography?

Back

The pycnocline is a layer in the ocean where there is a rapid change in density with depth, affecting the stratification and circulation of ocean waters.

Front

Explain the concept of ocean stratification.

Back

Ocean stratification refers to the layering of water in the ocean based on temperature and salinity, which affects marine life and ocean currents.

Front

What are ice floes?

Back

Ice floes are large, flat pieces of floating ice that have broken off from glaciers or ice shelves and drift in the ocean.