Oceanography Unit Review

Front

What drives surface ocean currents?

Back

The energy that drives surface ocean currents comes from prevailing (global) winds.

Front

What is biomagnification?

Back

Biomagnification is the phenomenon by which toxins concentrate in organisms at higher trophic levels within an ecosystem.

Front

What causes surface currents in the ocean?

Back

Surface currents are a result of global (prevailing) wind patterns.

Front

Which winds influence the Gulf Stream Current?

Back

The Gulf Stream Current is influenced by the Westerlies.

Front

What is the definition of salinity?

Back

Salinity is the concentration of salts in water, typically measured in parts per thousand (ppt).

Front

What is the role of temperature differences in ocean currents?

Back

Temperature differences can create density variations in water, which can influence deep ocean currents but are not the primary driver of surface currents.

Front

What are the main types of ocean currents?

Back

The main types of ocean currents are surface currents, deep water currents, and tidal currents.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving objects, such as ocean currents, due to the rotation of the Earth.

Front

What is El Niño?

Back

El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns.

Front

What is the difference between ocean currents and tides?

Back

Ocean currents are large-scale flows of water driven by wind, temperature, and salinity, while tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun.