Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions

Identify the four main sources driving ocean currents.

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Answer explanation

wind, tide, temperature, salinity

State the dominant pattern of surface ocean currents.

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Answer explanation

circular pattern called gyres

Describe the ocean current patterns in the N hemisphere and in the S hemisphere.

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N hemisphere - clockwise

S hemisphere - anti-clockwise

Name two currents in the N hemisphere and two in the S hemisphere.

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Answer explanation

N hemisphere

- Gulf Stream

- Canary

- Labrador

- Alaska

- Norwegian

- Oyashio

S hemisphere

- Peru

- Brazil

- Benguela

- Mozambique

- W Australia

-Antarctic circumpolar

Describe the difference between warm and cold ocean currents.

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Answer explanation

Warm:

- surface ocean currents

- travel quickly

- low density (low salinity)

Cold:

- deep ocean currents

- travel slowly

- high density (high salinity)

Explain the importance of the global ocean conveyor belt

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Answer explanation

- Transfers energy (heat) around the globe - regulates climate patterns

- Transfers nutrients around the globe - this helps the growth of algae and seaweed - which are components part of the base of the ocean food web - increases biodiversity / fish stocks

What is upwelling?

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The process in which cold, nutrient-rich water rises from the deep ocean to the surface.

Illustrate the climatic/weather conditions in an El Nino phase of the ENSO cycle

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Illustrate the climatic/weather conditions in a La Nina phase of the ENSO cycle

Answer explanation

What is the minimum ocean temperature needed for the formation of a hurricane?

• 30 degrees C

• 25 degrees C

• 27 degrees C

• 29 degrees C