Ocean Waves, Tides & Currents

The three main ways water moves in the ocean are tides, currents, and waves. Which are caused by the Moon’s gravity?

• currents

• waves

• tides

• currents, tides, and waves

How do waves change the South Carolina beach zone the most?

• They smooth out the sand between tides.

• They deliver and/or take away large amounts of sand.

• They wash ashore plants and animals to live there.

• They keep the tides from getting too high or too low.

What is the area called where the ocean meets the land?

• estuary zone

• sand and water zone

• tidal zone

• ocean shore zone

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What natural forces cause shorelines to be constantly changing?

• wind and water

• ice and rocks

• earthquakes and volcanoes

• plants and animal life

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What is the natural benefit of barrier islands?

• They are a nice place to build a house.

• They are a place for storms to pick up strength before hitting the mainland.

• They offer good fishing grounds.

• They protect the mainland from waves and wind.

How are ocean waves different from surface currents?

• Waves mix ocean water, but currents do not.

• Waves can be directly observed, but currents cannot.

• Waves move boats forward, but currents move waves up and down.

• Wave movement is caused by gravity, but current movement is caused by rotation.

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What are the main factors that affect the direction of surface currents?

• the rotation of the Earth on its axis and the force and direction of the wind

• the strength of the waves and the height of the tides

• underwater landforms and the number of fish swimming through the current

• landforms that re-direct the currents and seasonal winds

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Where would you MOST LIKELY find a barrier island?

• along a shoreline

• in the middle of a river

• in the middle of the ocean

• in a lake

The Gulf Stream is an example of a warm surface current that flows along the coast of South Carolina. Why is it warm?

• The water has been heated by underwater volcanoes.

• The water in the Atlantic Ocean is warm.

• The water is moving from the region near the equator.

• The water is home to tropical animals.

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What occurs when the ocean water rises to its highest point?

• low tide

• high tide

• a flood

• deep currents