Currents &Tides Flashcard

Front

What is a Gyre?

Back

A large, circular surface-current pattern found in each ocean.

Front

What is a Spring Tide?

Back

A tide that occurs when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Front

What is a Neap Tide?

Back

A tide that occurs when the moon is at a right angle to the Earth and sun, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

Front

What is the California Current?

Back

A cold ocean current that flows southward along the western coast of North America.

Front

What is the Alaska Current?

Back

A warm ocean current that flows northward along the coast of Alaska.

Front

What is the East Australian Current?

Back

A warm ocean current that flows southward along the eastern coast of Australia.

Front

What is the Gulf Stream?

Back

A warm ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows up the eastern coast of the United States.

Front

What causes warm water to rise?

Back

Warm water rises because it is less dense than cold water.

Front

What is a Tide?

Back

The rise and fall of sea level caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun.

Front

What is a Surface Current?

Back

A horizontal movement of ocean water that is primarily driven by wind.