Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Vocabular

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What is climate?

Back

General weather patterns over a long period of time.

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What are prevailing winds?

Back

Winds that move in one direction and are strong enough to push ocean water.

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What is an effect?

Back

A result or change that happens because of an event or process.

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What is the scientific community?

Back

Scientists around the world who share information and ideas.

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What is a gyre?

Back

A giant pattern of moving water that spans whole oceans and moves water from place to place in a circle.

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What is climatology?

Back

The study of climate and its variations.

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What is an ocean current?

Back

A continuous, directed movement of seawater generated by various forces acting upon it.

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What is energy in the context of the ocean?

Back

The ability to do work, often transferred through waves and currents in the ocean.

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What is the equator?

Back

An imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

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What is altitude?

Back

The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.